Rescued by a well-meaning person and suffering several traumatic events, Shaman has difficulty trusting humans—or other coyotes. Because of an early injury, he can never be released into the wild—a casualty of human interference. But here at Earthfire, he is safe and well cared for. In recent years, he has started to emerge from his shell. He takes pleasure in sun bathing in the coyote garden (he previously refused to leave the safety of his enclosure), he bravely approaches certain handlers and has become comfortable enough to enjoy his meals in the presence of those who are familiar to him. Although he was deemed innately wild with a survival instinct that overrides any desire to form bonds, he is a testament of the growth that is possible for animals and humans alike.
