Community Corner

Coyotes Spotted in Oak Park

Attempts to trap the wild animals have been unsuccessful, authorities say.

Have you spotted a coyote in Oak Park? 

There's at least three on the loose, animal control experts and residents say. 

Martha Ekwurtzel, an OP-RF Patch reader, recently emailed to say she spotted a coyote while walking her dog on Monday. 

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"The animal who appeared to be well fed, ran up and down the 600  block of South Kenilworth darting in and out of yards on the west side of the street," she said. "The coyote then headed west on Adams.  When we notified [police] we were told  several calls had been logged reporting a coyote in the area."

It's hard to say how many of the wild animals have actually been spotted. 

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Michael Charley, the village's environmental health supervisor, said Oak Park's animal control division, comprised of one officer,"does not keep detailed records on individual coyote calls," but said they've received roughly 13 coyote calls in 2011. 

Earlier this month, a Wednesday Journal reader snapped pictures of a coyote wandering in the 800 block of Lyman Avenue.

Back in January, River Forest police took a report of

Authorities have since removed a spring-loaded coyote trap from one area location and have plans to place it somewhere near the 500 block of North Oak Park Avenue, where Charley said a pair of coyotes are nesting in a resident's backyard. 

If the animals wander into the trap, Oak Park officials would, with the help of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, release them to a Cook County forest preserve. 

So what's a resident to do if they encounter a coyote? Here's some tips, courtesy of the animal control division. They also recommend checking out this website, Urban Coyote Research:

  • Do not feed the coyotes.  Intentional feeding, such as bait stations in yards or parks, should be avoided. However, many people unintentionally feed coyotes by leaving pet food or garbage out at night or having large bird feeders. Coyotes are usually not interested in bird food, but bird feeders often attract rodents, especially squirrels, which then attract coyotes. Although coyotes seem to have a natural inclination to avoid human-related food, this can change when prey populations are low, or if the coyotes are young and haven’t yet learned to hunt effectively.
  • Do not let pets run loose.  If coyotes live nearby, do not let pets run loose, especially domestic cats. When hiking in urban parks, keep dogs on leashes.
  • Do not run from a coyote.  When you encounter a coyote, shout or throw something in its direction.
  • Repellents or fencing may help.  Some repellents may work in keeping coyotes out of small areas such as yards, although these have not been tested thoroughly for coyotes. Repellents may involve remotely activated lights or sound-making devices. Fencing may keep coyotes out of a yard, particularly if it is more than 4 feet in height with a roll bar across the top.
  • Report aggressive, fearless coyotes immediately.   When a coyote fails to exhibit fear of humans or acts aggressively by barking or growling in the yard or playground, the animal should be reported as soon as possible to the Oak Park Animal Control Division by calling (708) 358-5680 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday – Friday or by calling the Police non-emergency number at all other times at (708) 386-3800.


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