A black and white video recorded by a night vision wildlife camera shows a coyote and a badger going through a tunnel beneath a busy highway. It showed the animals in an unconventional friendship with the coyote leading the badger inside while jumping playfully. The coyote looks back and waits for his companion to slide down and join him and then they go together. The video was posted on Twitter by Russ McSpadden, a writer, and videographer from the Peninsula Open Space Trust in Palo Alto, California. He also added that both the animals are known to hunt together.
A coyote and a badger use a culvert as a wildlife crossing to pass under a busy California highway together. Coyotes and badgers are known to hunt together.
š„Peninsula Open Space Trust pic.twitter.com/oS9BL5JOoK
— Russ McSpadden (@PeccaryNotPig) February 4, 2020
Crossing the Dangerous Highways
There are many wildlife cameras set up around California’s Bay Area to observe animals crossing the highways and how they move from place to place. While crossing these highways animals get hit by oncoming vehicles. Many tunnels are made to manage floodwaters which are then used by the wildlife for their safe migration.
Neal Sharma who manages wildlife linkages at Peninsula Open Space Trust, with whose camera the video was recorded, said that roads that completely divide wildlife ecosystems pose problems for the wildlife. They have difficulty in finding food, mates, and appropriate habitat.
Coyotes and badgers are known to hunt together. The coyote’s speed and agility are beneficial in chasing down the prey. While the badger comes in if the prey goes underground and dig it out. This increases their chances of catching the prey. Scientists have been studying and documenting their habits and companionship for years.
Another Disney Movie?
Soon after the video was posted on social media sites people started commenting on the animals’ friendly behaviour towards each other. People called it the next “Zootopia” and filled in conversations that might have happened between the two animals. One twitter user said, “Best buddy cop movie ever.” Internet users are hoping for a new Disney movie based on these two and their unusual friendship.