Coyote sightings may increase during the fall and winter months. This is because young coyotes are on the move in search of mates and territory, and there is less vegetation for them to hide in.
Courtesy of DuPage County Forest Preserve
After a recent coyote attack on a dog in Arlington Heights, wildlife experts say coyotes could be especially active over the next month, and police there have issued a warning. uttered.
Rob Erickson, wildlife research trapping and population management coordinator for Scientific Wildlife Management, said coyotes are a concern in the suburbs from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15.
“They moved to cities because it was easier to live and survive there,” Erickson said. “There are more food sources, there are no negative stimuli in terms of pressure, there is no pressure from hunting or trapping, so there are no natural predators other than cars.”
Arlington Heights Police Cmdr. Peter Milutinovich said coyotes' natural breeding season will occur over the next four to six weeks, with males becoming more aggressive and posing a potential threat to humans and pets.
The police department is advising residents to keep unoccupied dogs and cats indoors or in an enclosed area, especially if they must go outside at night. It also encourages dog owners to keep their dogs on short leashes, preferably less than 6 feet, when walking outside.
Police say residents should not feed coyotes or leave food for wild animals. Doing so is not only dangerous for humans and pets, but also increases the chance of harm to wildlife, police said, adding that backyard fencing alone is not enough. Keep coyotes away.
Police say people concerned about their safety should turn on outside lights and check their yards for wildlife before leaving their homes, and carry a noise device such as a whistle or horn to scare away coyotes. It is said that it can be done.
Police say if you encounter a coyote, make noise and make yourself appear bigger by yelling, clapping your hands or using a noisemaker.
The police department has partnered with Scientific Wildlife Management, which specializes in coyote response. Village animal control staff will also be available if needed.
Erickson noted that foxes may also be active in the suburbs now. Although foxes may look scary, they are usually not a threat unless they carry disease, he said. In fact, he added, foxes reduce the spread of West Nile virus because they kill and eat rats that can transmit the virus.
Mount Prospect resident Joan Pentrancosta has had first-hand encounters with foxes in recent weeks. According to her, her family noticed two foxes running through their backyard on Christmas Day. They returned on New Year's Eve and have been visiting her backyard almost every day since.
“We don't care about them right now, but we have kids and they like to be in the backyard in the spring, so we don't want them to get comfortable here either,” Pentrancosta said. said.
She said she and her husband were trying to open the backyard door and make noise to scare them. She has seen foxes jump over 6-foot-tall fences, and she says she worries coyotes will do the same.
Two foxes are frolicking in the Pentrancosta family's backyard in Mount Prospect. While coyotes can pose a danger to suburban pets and humans, wildlife experts say foxes are generally not a serious threat because they are easily frightened.
Provided by Joan Pentrancosta
