Coyote Population Growing

By Margaret Lyons in Miscellaneous on Nov 8, 2004 5:13PM

Illinois is experiencing a spike in coyote activity; please, keep your pets and toddlers close by. According to one coyotologist, there's a pack of the howly bastards in Lincoln Park. Too bad they haven't developed a taste for trixies yet.

Stan Gerht has studied Chicago coyotes for years and has developed a few theories that help explain the increasing population:

1. "Urban coyotes" have about a 60 percent chance of surviving their first year. Apparently that's really high.
2. UCs have bigger litters than their rural counterparts—8 or so vs. 4 or 5.
3. They're really adaptable and will live anywhere with bushes or tall grass. Note to self: mow lawn.

According to the Trib, coyotes have attacked at least six dogs in Mundelein in the last few weeks. They also got poor Topogijo, a Pomeranian in Schaumburg. Urban coyotes are on the up and up, attacking children in Arizona and California and even hanging around D.C. Did you know that coyotes are Illinois' largest wild predator? Now you know.

We can't believe this article didn't mention the urban bunny population boom from this summer—more bunnies = more food = more 'otes? No? Anyway, don't let your little dog get eaten.