Increase in coyote sightings not cause for alarm

The increase in coyote sightings that DuPage County residents may see between now and February is not a cause for alarm, according to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

Young coyotes leave their parents during the cold weather season in search of mates and territories to call their own.

"Young coyotes are looking for a place to call home, yet most areas are already occupied. This forces them to move around quite a bit looking for an unoccupied area," said Dan Thompson, a forest preserve ecologist. "As a result, sightings tend to increase at this time of year."

People also may see more coyotes in winter because there's less vegetation, giving them fewer places to hide, and more snow, making animals easier to spot. A rise in sightings doesn't necessarily mean a rise in the county's coyote population.

Some coyotes have become comfortable around humans and may be more brazen and less likely to shy away. If a coyote does appear bold, "remain confident, and wave your arms and make loud, intimidating noises," Thompson said.

For people with pets, Thompson offers additional recommendations.

"Follow forest preserve regulations and keep your pets leashed when you're in a preserve," Thompson said. "It's smart to stay with your dog and keep it on a leash in your backyard, too. It's uncommon, but coyotes can target dogs, not necessarily for food but to eliminate animals they think are competing for space. Smaller dogs that bark at other dogs seem to elicit this kind of response the most. This behavior in essence is challenging coyotes or other dogs to a fight."

A hungry coyote is going to be more interested in unsecured garbage cans, pet food, open compost piles, and bird feeders or fallen fruit under trees and shrubs, Thompson said. Keeping yards clean can limit these attractants.

"Coyotes are able to learn and adapt quickly to changes in their environment," said Stephanie Touzalin, a naturalist with the forest district's Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn. "They've found urban areas offer adequate shelter and more food than rural farmlands ever did. So they are very common in our area."

Coyotes are an important component of the ecological community.

"Coyotes play a vital role in keeping populations of smaller animals and rodents in check in DuPage County's ecosystems," forest district President Joe Cantore said.

"Coyotes are a permanent fixture in Illinois' rural, suburban and urban areas," said Forest Preserve District Commissioner Al Murphy, District 6. "Seeing a coyote cross a field, backyard or road does not necessarily mean it's a problem or dangerous situation for humans or domestic animals."