A furry, four-legged version of “Home Alone” played out this weekend in a San Francisco backyard. 

But forget about the hijinks of an unattended youngster running wild. This version starred a wayward juvenile coyote who didn’t respond well to solitary time and needed to be rescued by authorities.

While away on vacation, a homeowner in an undisclosed neighborhood learned Sunday via her backyard security cameras that a coyote had been trapped in her backyard since Thursday. The property is enclosed by a high wall, which prevented the coyote from escaping, according to the Department of Animal Care and Control.

Such encounters are more likely at this time of year, when pups and juveniles venture out on their own, according to Janet Kessler, a “self-taught naturalist” who has documented (opens in new tab) San Francisco’s coyote population for years.

“Obviously, a youngster who went exploring got himself or herself into a situation she couldn’t get out of,” she said. “One of the most fortunate things about the whole event is that the homeowner cared enough to call for help.”

Camera footage showed the coyote pacing the backyard, but when animal control officers gained access, they found that she had “shut down” and was curled up beneath a staircase, according to the agency (opens in new tab). The officers approached the animal, which remained calm and did not move. They placed a net over her, gently covered her head with a towel, and wrapped her in a second towel to reduce stress during transport. The coyote was released into a neighboring open space and, after some encouragement from the officers, scampered away.

Animal Care and Control declined to specify where the animal was found. 

The agency noted that the rescue came during pupping season, when adult coyotes are highly protective. Coyotes live in family units built around a monogamous breeding pair and, often, older offspring.