A surprising scene unfolded at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Daly City, California, this Mother’s Day when a coyote was spotted digging near a grave. Erin Haley, who was visiting her mother’s resting place, captured the unusual moment on video. The coyote, described as "unsentimental," was seen digging about a foot into the ground next to a headstone.
Haley was taken aback by the sight, remarking, “Seems like a weird place to dig,” as she filmed the animal. Her children chimed in, with one suggesting the coyote might be hungry. In her 24 years of visiting the cemetery, Haley had never witnessed anything like it.
Cemetery officials explained that the coyote was likely not after anything related to the graves but was instead hunting for gophers. These small rodents are known to burrow in the cemetery’s hills, attracting the coyote’s attention. The Archdiocese of San Francisco reassured the public that the depth of burials and the use of concrete vaults protect the remains of loved ones, despite how unsettling the scene may appear.
Peter Marlow, a communications director for the archdiocese, addressed the concerns, stating, “We realize how disturbing this looks, but we want to reassure people that the State code governing depth of burials helps protect their loved ones.”
To prevent further digging by coyotes, cemetery maintenance crews are implementing measures to remove the gophers that are drawing these animals in. The incident highlights the ongoing interaction between wildlife and urban areas, a trend seen in other cities, including recent coyote sightings in New York City’s Central Park.
While the coyote’s digging may have raised eyebrows, it serves as a reminder of the wildlife that shares our spaces and the unique situations that can arise in urban environments.