Coyotes Spotted in Joliet: Check Out Our Map on Where You've Seen Them
Here's what you need to know about the elusive animals.
Have you seen any coyotes lurking around town recently? If so, you're among other Patch readers who've already sent in their spotting locations. Now, we're not telling you this to scare you. In fact, according to the Cook County Coyote Project, there hasn't been a documented case of a coyote attacking a human in Illinois since at least 1985—the beginning range of the study. On top of that, there have only been two cases of coyotes killing a human in the U.S. and Canada in modern history.
That said, residents are reporting interactions with local coyotes and we want to keep those numbers from getting any higher.
Coyotes typically come out at night. If you see a coyote during the day, that's indication the animal may be bolder and therefore more likely to attack. If you ever find yourself in this situation, the study recommends you yell, wave your arms and try to throw something at the coyote. Never run away!
Dan Thompson, ecologist at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County said residents along rivers and the Prairie Path are at a slightly higher risk of seeing coyotes as they help wildlife travel.
However, he said, "coyotes are everywhere."
The wild animals are putting down roots in urban environments because humans have given them an "upper hand," Thompson said. "(We've) mand them less fearful of contact with humans... We need to make sure we make them feel uncomfortable if they're around."
While coyotes have been known to attack pets, the Cook County Coyote Project says coyotes do not frequently attack dogs, and when they do, they tend to be smaller dogs. Cats, on the other hand, may represent more alluring targets. Don't lose too much sleep over it, though. The vast majority of a coyote's diet is made up of mice and rats.
Patch asked readers on its Facebook page to tell us where they've seen coyotes in Joliet.
Tony
6:10 am on Saturday, October 13, 2012
I live on the 2400 block of Black rd and have seen Coyotes early in the morning while taking my dogs out. There was a pair of them that I would see a couple times a week, I haven't seen them for a few months so maybe they moved on.
Cathy
8:28 am on Sunday, October 14, 2012
The problem is thatThey have been here much longer than us... With all the increase in people populating the area they have less home to live in... They are a much needed part of our eco system... they help control the small rodent and animal population... the coyotes are important too...just learn how to live with them... and the ones that are out in the daylight some are just startled by the people that now live here too...
Barrie Moroni
10:09 am on Sunday, October 14, 2012
When we lived inTinley Park my hubby used to walk our dog on the bike path near 163rd St. In the winter, they would encounter coyotes many nights often in pairs. They never bothered him maybe because we have a large dog. But our dog never bothered them either. He never barked when he saw them and if he saw a dog he would bark and pull on his leash. Also saw one crossinf Main St. in Lemont the other night as I was driving home from work.
Jessie Kaufman
6:08 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
I saw one run across Jefferson near ATI field on Friday night.
Coyoteslayer
8:13 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
I like to shoot them and eat them.
Tymdk™
Phil Lopian
8:30 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
I think you have to kill em' to grill em'!!!!!
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