PALO ALTO — A dead coyote found partially skinned and hanging from a tree at the Arastradero Preserve last month was the work of a juvenile practicing taxidermy on roadkill, police said.
A hiker made the gruesome discovery near the main entrance to the park at 1530 Arastradero Road and reported it to police at about 12:15 p.m. on Christmas Eve. A bootlace had been used to hang the animal upside down and a knife was found near the scene.
At first, authorities believed the coyote had been trapped and killed in violation of city law. But an investigation by police, rangers and animal services revealed that was not the case.
“The juvenile was practicing taxidermy on roadkilled animals,” said Palo Alto police Capt. Zach Perron in an email.
Perron said he could not release additional details about the case because it involves a juvenile.
“The case will likely be sent to the Juvenile Probation Department for review of any appropriate criminal charges,” Perron said.
