Lab tests: Antifreeze likely killed coyote in Belvedere

The male coyote found dead in Belvedere in October likely died of antifreeze poisoning, according to California Department of Fish and Wildlife laboratory results.

The animal, discovered Oct. 21 on Belvedere Way, was part of a mated pair that had lived in the area for two years. Scientists at the department’s Wildlife Health Laboratory in Rancho Cordova found evidence of poisoning from ethylene glycol, a toxic substance found in antifreeze.

“Unfortunately, it is currently unknown whether the coyote was exposed … accidentally or intentionally based on the histology/toxicology results alone,” case coordinator and Senior Environmental Scientist Ryan Bourbour said in a Dec. 23 email.

Additional tests showed the coyote tested positive for six rodenticides, five of which were anticoagulant compounds, “which highlights rodenticide exposure risks in this coyote’s home range,” Bourbour said.

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