Researcher talks about 'Living with Coyotes' in Naperville

Posted November 12, 2014 10:00 pm

By Sue Omanson Naperville Park District

Chances are a coyote has been sighted in most Naperville neighborhoods within the past few years.

With that new reality in mind, the Naperville Park District invites adults and students ages 16 and older to attend a special presentation, "Living with Coyotes," by urban coyote researcher Shane McKenzie, who serves as associate research scientist at the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation.

The program is 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville. The fee is $10 for park district residents, $15 for others. To register, visit napervilleparks.org, call (630) 848-5000 or visit any of the following locations:

• Park District Administration building, 320 W. Jackson Ave.

• Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave.

• 95th Street Center, 2244 W. 95th St.

• Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road.

McKenzie will speak about the urban coyote research being done in the area, coyote behavior and how to coexist with them. Within the next few years, the Urban Coyote Project will focus on wildlife in the city of Chicago.

This research will be the first of its kind to study coyotes living within the urban matrix of Chicago. Visit urbancoyoteresearch.com to learn more.

"Shane's presentation is a great opportunity to learn about the behavior of coyotes that live in our neighborhoods," said Nature Center Manager Angelique Harshman. "When we head inside for the night, the coyotes are out and about looking for food, taking care of their young and checking out their territories.

"Coyotes are highly adaptable animals that have learned to live in suburban areas and even bustling cities like Chicago. Learning about coyotes allows us to appreciate them as animals and as inhabitants of our communities."

Coyotes are adapting to living in a suburban landscape. Urban coyote researcher Shane McKenzie will discuss what it means to have the animals as neighbors in "Living with Coyotes," offered through the Naperville Park District. DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO

If you go

What: "Living with Coyotes," presented by researcher Shane McKenzie

When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19

Where: Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville

Cost: $10 for Naperville Park District residents; $15 for others

Info: (630) 848-5000 or napervilleparks.org

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