See All Chicago's Coyote Sightings On This Interactive Map
By Kirsten Onsgard in News on Apr 20, 2016 2:53PM
Between accounts of wily coyotes wandering Wrigleyville and outsmarting a Streeterville snowplow, it feels pretty commonplace to spot a coyote in Chicago right now.
A blog called Coyote Map is confirming that feeling, too, tracking Chicagoland coyote sightings with help from some keen “coyoteers” and outside submissions. According to the site's interactive map, there's hardly a neighborhood that hasn’t been touched by these wild (and also cute) creatures. They seem especially concentrated along the Lakefront, north of the Loop:
Like much of the city’s unwanted wildlife, coyotes don't just gravitate toward green spaces. "Coyote just hanging out on the street before going through a yard and into the alley,” reads one submission.
An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 coyotes live in Cook County, according to the Cook County Urban Coyote Research Project (CCUCRP), though attacks are extremely rare. However, more pet attacks were reporting during the winter, late fall and early springtime than in warmer months.
“A coytote [sic] approached my 12 lbs dog while out on a walk and tried to lunge for him. luckily I was carrying mace and maced the coyote who retreated,” reads another map submission, posted on the near North Side in 2014.
Most coyotes are a minimal nuisance to people, though, even in urban environments. CCUCRP recommends that people avoid feeding or running from coyotes, and contain their pets. Aggressive animals should be reported to animal control or the police; otherwise, just let coyotes live their coyote lives.
Submit a spotting to Coyote Map here.