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Warning on Coyotes in NE Evanston
In the last month or so - Coyotes killed a small dog in Wilmette and now another small dog was killed in Buffalo Grove. In the last month twice I have seen Coyotes walking down Euclid Park Place and Sheridan Road. I have been told there have been several sited on Peter Jans Golf Course to the West.
While it is not likely they will attack adults or large dogs, small dogs and very young children could be at risk.
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Twice in the past two weeks I have seen a coyote in the 1600 block of Wesley and the rabbit population is definitely down (I hope the raccoon and skunk populations will decline). Trash left out all week in the alley (with the squirrel holes in trash bins) makes for further easy pickings.
Does the City have standards for condition of the trash bins? I have found that hauling in our trash bin to the area directly behind the back door and fiberglass patching has helped keep trash more secure from squirrels and other critters.
Junad,
There is a den of 5 coyotes on the 9th hole (south side of Isabella, just west of the canal), they live behind the green. I called Evanston's animal control and was told "there are coyotes all over Evanston, there's nothing we can do about it" this past March. I tried to explain what about a toddler out in the back yard and was ignored. The coyotes have been spotted at Isabella & Asbury in a group of five early last summer. The Wilmette Police, no longer have an "animal control" department, I was told and also was told that the coyote was a protected species. Between Evanston and Wilmette, I can only say that something will only be done if a child is hurt. I would be very cautious with any small pets or children as the coyotes will widen their territory in search of food. Thanks for bringing this up, Junad.
Kevin - thank you for the information - people in the area need to be aware. Junad
I saw 2 coyotes last night at about 2am on the corner of Main and Sherman in the alley between Pipes convenience store and whatever building that is on the NW corner of the intersection. Kind of weird seeing them in such a residential area.
You get the sense from this thread that folks have layed out a Welcome Wagon for the coyotes. Coyotes are our friend. Yes, they will eat your small dog and cats but like crime thats life in the big city. Truth be told, I'm more cautious of skunks then I am of coyotes but, thats only because I see (and smell) skunks and I haven't yet seen a coyote. I can't wait until the Animal Welcome Wagon rolls out a spin on the arrival of black bears from Wisconsin, not to worry, just think of Winnie the Pooh and all your fears will subside.
The wildlife will remain as long as there is a food supply, and there is nothing we could do about it even if we wanted to. It's much easier for the people to leave. If you lived on a houseboat, you'd complain about the fish.
I'm always amazed and disappointed by how troubled people are with wildlife in this area. Especially beautiful wildlife like coyotes and foxes. Remember, the wildlife was here first--we invaded their territory. But because of our concrete and silicon artificial environment, we believe we shouldn't be bothered by their presence, and are even shocked by their sightings. Of course, we should take sensible precautions by protecting young children and small pets, securing garbage cans, and not leaving food matter outside. But we should also cherish the wildlife and appreciate the important roll they have in the environment. We can all live together harmoniously, if we try.
I was driving South on Ridge Road tonight (11/19/08) at about 5:00 pm and nearly hit a coyote (at the corner of Ridge and Seward). It darted in front of my car and I had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting it. My kids were very excited to see the animal in our neighborhood, however I wasn't. It ran into our neighborhood (heading West on Seward). We had been feeding a stray cat for about 2 years and he disappeared just recently. I wonder if the coyote got the poor guy :(
From the Chief of Police and the Animal Warden
EVANSTON’S URBAN COYOTES
When one hears a family of coyotes howling, it is easy to get the impression
that the area is overflowing with coyotes. In reality, there are usually just
2-6 coyotes, including the pups. Howling is the main way for coyotes to
communicate with other coyotes. While some people find it unnerving, this
howl serves many purposes, none of which are malicious. This howl is
telling non-family members to stay out of their territory. A coyotes established
territory may vary in size from 2 to 30 square miles. Pups practice howling
and can be very vocal in late summer as they attempt to mimic their parents.
When there is a potential threat towards the pups, the older coyotes will scatter
throughout the area and howl in order to distract the threat away from the
den site.
Due to the misconceptions and fears about coyotes, many people don’t recognize
the beneficial aspects that coyotes contribute to our ecosystem. Predators, such
as the coyote, serve a valuable function in keeping prey species in balance with
their habitat. Populations of small animals, such as rodents, could increase out of
control without predators. Coyotes are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will
feed on whatever is most readily available and easy to obtain. Their primary
foods include small rodents (especially rats), fruit, berries, rabbits, birds, snakes,
frogs, and insects. They will scavenge on animal remains, including road-kills,
as well as garbage and pet food left outdoors. In suburban areas they prey upon
unprotected pets, including outdoor house cats and unsupervised domestic small
dogs.
Coyotes are naturally afraid of people and their presence alone is not a cause for
concern. However if a resident feels that a coyote is acting strangely please do not
hesitate to contact Animal Control at (847) 866-5080, and speak with one of the
Animal Wardens.
PREVENTING CONFLICTS WITH COYOTES
Don’t let coyotes intimidate you! Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten coyotes
with loud noises and bright lights.. Don’t hesitate to pick up small objects,
such as a tennis ball, and throw them at the coyote. If a water hose is close
at hand, spray the coyote with water in the face. Let the coyote know it is
unwelcome in your area.
Secure your garbage! Coyotes will raid open trash materials and compost
piles. Secure your garbage in tough plastic containers with tight fitting lids
and keep in secure buildings when possible. Take out trash the morning pick
up is scheduled, not the previous night. Keep compost piles in containers
designed to contain but vent the material.
Don’t feed or try to pet coyotes! Keep wild things wild! Feeding, whether
direct or indirect, can cause coyotes to act tame and over time may lead
to bold behavior. Coyotes that rely on natural food items remain wild and
wary of humans.
Keep pets safe! Although free roaming pets are more likely to be killed
by automobiles than by wild animals, coyotes do view cats and small dogs
as potential food and larger dogs (old) as competition. For the safety of
your pets, keep them restrained at all times.
Feed pets indoors! Outdoor feeding attracts many wild animals to your
door!
Keep bird feeding areas clean! Use feeders designed to keep seed off
the ground as the seed attracts many small mammals that coyotes prey upon.
Remove feeders if coyotes are regularly seen around your yard.
Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds! Coyotes use such areas
for resting and raising young.
Cut back brushy edges in your yard! These areas provide cover for
coyotes and their prey. Also if you have fruit trees make sure to pick
up any fallen fruit off of the ground, and dispose of properly.
Educate your neighbors! Pass this information along since your efforts
will be futile if neighbors are providing food or shelter for coyotes.
My wife saw a coyote on our block about a year ago. I saw one once on Green Bay before dawn about 15 years ago. They're out there, and they've been out there. It doesn't bother me.
While a coyote is a wild animal, you are hundreds of times more likely to be injured by a neighborhood dog or by a deer bounding in front of your car than by a coyote. The highest estimate I've seen is of maybe 10 coyote attacks a year on humans in the entire U.S. And it could be a lot lower than that. The last fatality recorded was over 20 years ago.
By contrast, there were over 300 recorded dog-bite fatalities in about a 20-year period starting in 1979, and according to newspaper reports it looks like there've been an average of two dog-attack deaths each month since 2004.
It's still good practice not to let a small child be unattended anywhere, and a small pet, if unable to defend itself or make a ready escape, is at risk outdoors.
Note that declawed cats have no defense against any other animal either, such as crows (who I've seen attack cats) or raccoons. A healthy cat with claws, unless out in an open space, is usually in far more danger from cars than from a coyote, at least until coyotes learn to climb trees.
Here's a good article on how to deal with a coyote if you encounter one.
Jeff - you point is true - many other events are more likely to occur which someone could get hurt.
But since two small dogs have been killed - what about the parent who is outside -goes in the house for a minute, to answer a phone leaves her two year outside in the backyard?
While people should not panic they should be aware of the potential of danger.
I can confirm coyote and/or fox sightings at Peter Jans. What with the varmint population explosion, I'm not surprised Evanston is attracting predators.
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