Coyotes Spotted in Glen Ellyn: Where You've Seen Them
We compiled a map of recent coyote spottings in town. Here's what you need to know about the elusive animals.
View Coyote Map in a larger map
In DuPage County, living with coyotes comes with the territory. More than likely, you have spotted a few around town, like your neighbors who have already shared locations where coyotes were spotted.
While some residents enjoy seeing wildlife in the urban environment, as recent stories have publicized, there have been instances where small dogs were killed by coyotes. Taking preventative measures may limit interactions with coyotes.
Some tips include: avoid feeding them; avoid leaving pet bowls and food outside; clean up spilled bird seed from feeders and keep grills and barbecues clean, according to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
More than 90 percent of a coyote’s diet is small mammals, according to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. Coyotes will also eat birds, snakes, insects, fish, fruit and vegetables and will feed on what is most available, such as squirrels, voles, mice, rabbits, and injured or sick deer.
The animals are very adaptable and while they are known to come out mostly at night, it’s not unusual for them to be spotted during the day.
When you spot a coyote it’s important to be confident and bold and make loud noises. Do not act submissive or turn your back or run, the Forest Preserve District said.
Sometimes a coyote will “shadow” a person because they passing through a coyote’s territory to make sure the person is not a threat.
Most coyotes are not aggressive, but if you encounter one that appears more aggressive, the Forest Preserve District suggests throwing clods of earth or sticks near the ground by the coyote first and, if necessary, toward its body, but, never at its head.
Report aggressive behavior in a forest preserve to the Forest Preserve District at 630-933-7200. Encounters on private property should be reported to local authorities.
Find more information on living with coyotes.
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Anne Lannon, DVM
7:25 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
I have been walking my dogs at 5:30 AM for many years and see coyotes all the time along our route in central Glen Ellyn. They never bother us and we never bother them. Let's not be alarmists and try to remain aware of the fact that we have invaded their territory and not vice versa. Of course, small dogs and cats should never be allowed outside except under close supervision -- fenced yard or not!
Anne Lannon, DVM
Just real
1:31 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
Thank you Anne. The ranting going on in the Wheaton Patch regarding coyotes is so extreme. Especially the woman who wants the police to run around shooting them. I lived in the western United States for many years and we coexist and use common sense. Everything you say is absolutely true.
Lindalee
8:32 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
I have seen coyotes on Park near the Aboretum and on Hackberry near the 7 11.
Dr Silicon
8:49 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
I start at 4:00, Starbucks at 5:00, you see a glowing blue collar on a dog that's me.
I could have pet him, I was walking west on Linden (~5:30) and I think it was Pleasant (the one with a white picket fence south east corner) he was coming from the south that's why didn't see each other until we were eye ball to eye ball.
I've also seen them numerous times in Glen Ellyn Manor North East corner or Illinois and Brandon (all times of the day) and the park there. My dog is little over 20 lbs and will visit the kids and the tree's there. They certainly have eyed him he might be just big enough unless they get desperate and don't seem to bother him when he's out alone.
I was also nearly trampled by a full size deer crossing oak a just west of main as well, where he came from I don't know but he was in a real hurry to go someplace else...
Alan
10:02 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Hey Ann Lannon, thank you for the sound advice. There have been an inordinate number of comments from other Patch articles regarding coyotes that are truly alarming and disgusting. Documented are attitudes that appear to range from those like you, to attempting to hit coyotes with their cars while driving, to trapping, to culling, to hiring someone to hunt them, to soliciting oneself to hunt them, to killing, to total eradication…!! And it all started because an unattended small terrier was allegedly caught and eaten by a coyote.
Alan
10:02 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Somehow, I sense that Patch has a certain amount of responsibility in the manner these articles are written and released to the public… I wish there was a more positive spin displayed that coyotes as well as other such animals are not the gruesome threat they are purported to be. I mean, there are so many other threats to pets, and pet owners alike, out there that deserve far more attention than sensationalizing an alleged incident with a coyote , e.g., mosquitoes, west Nile virus, heart worms, hip dysplasia for German sheppards, squirrels chewing through windows (allowing the west Nile carrying mosquitoes to come in a residence), and those cute chipmunks undermining the very foundations of the homes we occupy and live in, even the mold that developed from the rotting vegetation that got stockpiled in our streets for weeks (months in some instances) that followed the storm back on July 18th, etc., all pose a far FAR greater threat to our cities, neighborhoods, communities, and to those who reside in them, including their pocket books.
Mary Ann Lopez
10:08 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Alan, while I understand your point, I'm wondering what in the story above made coyotes out to be "gruesome threats?" I don't believe I said any such thing. I included tips for homeowners to help keep interactions to a minimum and tips on how to behave during encounters. I also included a video that explains about living with coyotes and linked to the forest preserve district's website.
Alan
12:06 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Mary Ann, I did not mean to site that you specifically stated the coyotes are threats. However, your article comes on the heels of at least two recent Patch articles, one centered in Wheaton (http://wheaton.patch.com//articles/puppy-dies-of-coyote-attack-in-wheaton) and the other ever more recent one in Windfield (http://wheaton.patch.com/articles/dog-dies-of-coyote-attack-in-winfield). Both of these articles did only one thing, and that was to sensationalize coyote attacks. The uproar caused by these articles, especially the one related to the Wheaton story, reduced the human interest levels to name calling and declaring "killing coyotes is the only answer", with at least one guy who wants to ERADICATE the animals altogether, while another is trying drum up business as a hired gun to kill them for you. Bottom line is there is a serious lack of concern, stemmed from just as much lack of awareness and general knowledge. Your article does provide a means for rational thoughts, but I guess it takes readers with rational open minds to not get all wound up about a whole lot of nothing. I apologize if my comments appeared that you, as a writer, were being sited specifically. Patch can use more of you.
Alan
10:04 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Let’s take Ann’s advice and try to keep a cool head about coyotes. They are beautiful animals, and only want to survive, by instinct, in a world we also occupy. Keep your pets properly supervised.
And as for Patch and its writers/reporters…, well…, just think about the all the other threats we have… I can just about guarantee you that your audience will continue to appreciate you just as much if you would center more of your attention on reporting and EXPANDING on those issues that can REALLY threaten your readers and their pets.
Jeff C
11:22 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
We have seen them numerous times in and around our yard on Ellynwood that borders the railroad tracks on the east side of town. They always seem quite timid. One night a pack was in our yard serenading us with their yips and yelps. My wife thought it was a group of teenage girls making the noise!
Ian Rahal
4:15 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
awesome animals for sure but they can create issues. Ask my sis in law who had her Maltese snatched out of her yard in front of her very eyes by one of these critters. not a pleasant site to witness at all. Coyotes have no predators here in IL so they will breed like flies and cause further issues. The herd needs to be culled or your pet will be next. My 90 lb alpha male lab has had a few run ins with coyotes. he can handle 1 but not 2 or 3. Coyotes will ham string a dog and then it's game over. In fact, you can search U Tube and find a video of coyotes going after a lone wolf. Pack mentality at it's best
jagtwlve
6:02 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
Culling? Absurd. If coyotes are all you have to worry about, you live a sheltered life.
Alan
6:53 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
jagtwlve, Amen!!
Ian, You were on the right track when you said "awsome", and after that you went down hill.. How about culling pet owners!! Or, keep the pet owners and just get rid of the pets. No pets, no coyote food, no more problem. I mean, pet owners are the ones with the food and all. If you would think about it, that coyote is in direct competition with the dog owner... The dog owner wants the same thing as the coyote, albeit for different reasons :) You, along with all other alarmists, should get it out of your head that "YOUR PET WILL NOT BE NEXT". Be more concerned about so many other things that can bite you and your pet in the butt before a coyote will. ...Lighting... comes to mind. "...Breed like flies..." Stop it!! Suggest to keep your "90 pound alpha male lab" on a leash and all will be good.
Ian Rahal
8:06 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
Alan, u r not serious r u??? And tell me how my dog can protect himself against a coyote attack while tethered to a stake? thanks to Invisible Fence he stays within his boundries. Also, to enlighten you, the GE Village has already intitated a policy of trapping. In Elgin, where the Coyote population has YES, exploded, they trap and shoot them, it's that bad out there. Make a beautiful mount I can tell you. Come live down by the Dupage River. See them daily damn near. I'll go get a life now, have a good day.
Alan
9:38 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
HINT: Albert Einstein stated once upon a time ago, the mark of an insane person is for that person to do the same thing over and over again, all the while expecting different results.
Better days are ahead when the right changes and choices are made.
Alan
9:39 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
Coyotes have only one deal with no other concerns or options in their lives, that is, to eat, stay alive, and make babies. Not much different from any other animal on the planet. Seems kind of dumb, but that's it for them. For pet owners, they can stoop down to the level of coyotes and "present" food to them by ringing the dinner bell with a TETHERED dog (with an accompanyment of water and dog food), or, become smarter, and attend to your dog with proper supervision. Given the research by experts, attending to your dog would likely create a sutiable boundary just by your very own presence. Being that coyotes are opportunistic, they will likely not sense the safe "opportunity" to chow down on your dog, and look elsewhere. Again, not much like any other animal. Oh yeah, we will come across a bold "rogue" once in while, at which point, animal control should be called into action, and the problem animal will be taken care of. So, now, are you going to keep your dog tethered to a stake in an unfenced yard, and ring the dinner bell? Or are you going to get smarter and take away the coyotes' opportunity to eat your pet dog?
Alan
9:39 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
Ho, Ian, I'm sorry.., I did not realize, nor did you say, your dog was TETHERED TO A STAKE..., and, moreover, sourrounded by an invisible fence, to further keep your dog in place. Your dog is now BAIT !!..., like a worm on a hook..., in a fish bowl... Geez... at that point, a house cat can take a run at your dog...
Dr Silicon
9:34 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
A pack would could be an issue but a traveling pack in GE is unlikely. A Coyote will not attack anything anywhere close to it's size, most wild animals seem to understand Darwin theory better that a lot of humans.
Often proven when you hear "watch this" ;)
A 90 pound lab had run ins or was that Coyote runaways? If not get a gun he's rabid.
Ian Rahal
2:53 am on Saturday, October 13, 2012
As Jeff C correctly points out they do pack up. on several occasions i have seen and heard them at Churchill Woods howling away over a deer carcass. Quite eerie. Poor Fido, you all have just thrown man's best friend under the bus. Shame on you.
Sara Noel
7:21 am on Saturday, October 13, 2012
If you are overrun by Squirrels, chipmunks, mice and RABBITS - you, poor dear, do not have a coyote in the neighborhood.
Ian Rahal
8:42 am on Saturday, October 13, 2012
u got me on that one Sara! though I did c the most beautiful Red Fox the other day runnning thru my back yard. Used to see grey foxes too in the old days. here's some links to coyote attacks in burbs. Viewer discretion advised:
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/wheaton-dog-injured-coyote-attack-172764811.html
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/12405086-418/police-say-coyote-suspected-in-attack-on-man-in-aurora.html
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8820482
this link is dedicated to the "coyote" issue here in our area. Good read:
http://www.urbancoyoteresearch.com/Coyote_Attacks.htm
We have a similar problem in northern Wisconsin and UP Michigan: The re-introduction of Timber Wolves. they have proliferated so greatly that the DNR is now allowing a bag limit on them. Been to Canada several times and have been face to face with a wolf during shore lunch. Not a fun situation I can tell you. Not quite like the one you see cuddling up to K Costner in Dances with Wolves. Back in the 60's, 70's or even the 80's we NEVER saw Coyotes like we see today.
Have fun, hope your dog or cat doesn't get eaten.
Jeffrey Gahris
1:38 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
I have seen a coyote here before, and found it exciting. Even as I felt a tinge of anxiety being close to a wild predator, I felt more whole and integrated with nature, of which we are a part. I don't get that feeling sitting inside watching Animal Planet.