SALINAS >> The SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Center rescued a coyote that was stuck in a water retention pond in Salinas Thursday.

The SPCA received a call that the coyote was stuck in the pond, which is meant to store and release rainwater to prevent flooding and erosion.

The coyote was likely chasing or looking for prey, then was unable to climb back up the sides and became stuck, said a news release.

When rescuers arrived, the coyote led them on a brief chase before they were able to capture him. He was brought back to the Wildlife Center and assessed for any injuries while he dried off. The coyote is doing well and the SPCA was supposed to release him back into the wild Friday, but continued heavy rains delayed the release.

Once the rain lets up, the Wildlife Center will release the coyote into a rural area near where he was found on Spence Road in Salinas, according to Beth Brookhouser, vice president of marketing and communications.

Brookhouser said anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation as Thursday’s caller should “absolutely call us, that’s what we’re here for.”

Thursday’s incident was the Wildlife Center’s second successful coyote rescue from one of these retention ponds. In December, another coyote got stuck in an irrigation pond in Las Lomas on a sunny day. Rescuers were able to assess his health and release him quickly.

“The sides are deceptively steep … and slippery,” said Brookhouser. “Animals will go down there for water or chasing something and then they can’t get back out.”