Coexisting with Coyotes

From the City of Wheaton
Here's the original link, and the press release is below: Click for Wheaton Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Experts Share What You Need to Know about Coyotes

WHEATON, Ill. – Coyotes are not leaving the suburbs anytime soon. After all, some of the same things that make Wheaton a great place for humans to live – such as lots of open space and other natural resources – also make Wheaton an ideal place for coyotes to call home.

But with a little knowledge of coyote behavior and what you should and shouldn’t do, wildlife experts say Wheaton residents can live alongside coyotes very successfully. A new video produced by the City’s Communications Department called “Coexisting with Coyotes”talks with two coyote experts to give you the information you need for peaceful coexistence.

In this video, Lynsey White, Urban Wildlife Specialist with the Humane Society of the United States, and Ashley DeLaup, Wildlife Ecologist with Denver Parks and Recreation, share their vast knowledge of coyote behavior and management to answer questions such as: Should I be afraid of coyotes? How can I keep my pets safe? Why are there coyotes in my neighborhood? Is there anything I can do to to make them leave?

In teaching you some important facts about coyote behaviors and pet safety, White and DeLaup draw from their experiences studying and managing coyotes. White worked on the Cook County Coyote Project, the largest study ever done on urban coyotes. As a wildlife ecologist, DeLaup has helped dramatically reduce the conflicts residents of Denver were having with coyotes in recent years.

This video is available for viewing any time on the City’s website and is also being shown on City of Wheaton Channel 10 (CWC10).

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City of Wheaton "Coyote Incident Report form" and current recommendations

Wheaton has announced a new Coyote Incident Report form. This is the press release. It also makes recommendation of the use of trash barrels; some of our residents use plastic trash bags placed on the curb. Such use should be avoided, to discourage coyotes. The city recommends the feeding of pets indoors, and the storage of pet food indoors.

I would hope that our residents support the city in it's endeavor to control the coyote population, and simultaneously protect their pets, by not allowing them off a leash at any time, and by keeping their pets close while walking.

PRESS RELEASE

Friday, February 04, 2011

Discourage Coyotes from Your Neighborhood; Report Incidents Using New Form

WHEATON, Ill. – From February through April, you may see more coyotes in the community, as this is their typical mating period. While pets do not comprise a large portion of a coyote’s diet, it is especially important to keep your pets on a leash during this time of year, when people may be more likely to encounter a coyote. Coyotes are opportunistic and will go for easy prey, such as an unattended pet.

The City recently adopted a Coyote Policy,  which outlines how the City will respond to the presence of coyotes in the community based on the types of issues that are occurring. In order for the City to receive accurate information, the City encourages you to report coyote incidents using its new Coyote Incident Report Form. The form replaces the previous Coyote Sighting Report Form and asks questions specific to the incident.

Please note that if a coyote is acting in a threatening manner toward a human, you should call 9-1-1, and an officer will respond.

Besides reporting incidents, it is important for you to understand how to discourage coyotes from taking up residence in your neighborhood. Coyotes can become a nuisance when they have easy access to food in residential areas, such as pet food or garbage. To discourage their presence:

• DO feed pets indoors or promptly remove dishes when pets complete their meal outside. Store bags of pet food indoors.
• DO clear brush and dense weeds from around property. This deprives rodents of shelter and reduces protective cover for coyotes.
• DO use trash barrels equipped with tight clamping devices on the lids, which will prevent spills should they be tipped over by large animals.
• DO try to educate your friends and neighbors about the problems associated with feeding coyotes. If you belong to a homeowner’s association or neighborhood watch, bring up the subject during one of the meetings.
• DO NOT feed or provide water for coyotes or other wildlife. This practice abnormally attracts coyotes and promotes increased numbers of rodents, birds, snakes and other creatures that can provide major portions of the coyote’s natural diet.

Many wildlife experts believe that coyote "hazing" can help deter coyotes. This is the term used for actions such as making loud noises or threatening gestures toward coyotes in an attempt to change the behaviors of habituated coyotes and reestablish a healthy fear of humans. Hazing is not intended to physically harm coyotes. If you encounter a coyote, make yourself look as large as possible, and use the hazing techniques mentioned above.

For more information, see the Coyote Information section of the City's website.  

### End of Press Release

Here are a few links to the City of Wheaton's website pertaining to Coyote Information:

Link to Wheaton's Coyote Policy

Link to Wheaton's Coyote Incident Report Form

Link to "Coyotes in Wheaton" on the City's website

Trapper called in to trap coyotes - Wheaton Press Release and Website

That's the title of an article today in the print edition of the Glen Ellyn News. I quote it because of our immediate proximity to the western edge of that community, and because of the coyote sightings reported by our residents. Our local Wheaton paper also recently published an article on the coyote sightings.

To quote the GE News:

"The Glen Ellyn Police Department has received 36 reports of coyotes this month"....... It was reported that "a resident saw two coyotes attempting to prey on a small dog that was trapped within the confines of an electric fence".

The article went on "Anyone who spots a coyote should call the police." [See important comment (1) below - BLMH residents SHOULD NOT call the GE Police Department!]
Glen Ellyn Police Chief Phillip Norton was quoted "And don't feed them.......It sounds silly to some of us, but there are some that like to look at the wild animals in the backyard and will leave food for them."

(1) Note to BLMH residents. We are residents of Wheaton so DO NOT call the Glen Ellyn Police Department! The Wheaton Police have this statement on their website:

"Anyone can call 9-1-1 if they observe any wild animal behaving in a threatening manner. Police officers will respond Or, contact the Willowbrook Wildlife Center’s 24-hour automated phone line for advice at 630-942-6200".

A Glen Ellyn statistic:

• 20 coyotes spotted in January 2009
• 47 coyotes spotted in January 2010

The article also stated that traps will be set to catch coyotes. Obviously, our residents should not allow their pets to be unattended or to roam. This is in violation of the Rules and Regulations of BLMH. However, considering the issues with coyotes in the area, and traps, it would seem that a responsible pet owner will take steps to protect the animals under their care. Both the coyotes and the traps will be indiscriminate in what they catch. This is a quote from the official city of Wheaton website:  "Coyotes typically mate in February or early spring. During mating season, coyotes – especially males – may be more visible. It is especially important to keep pets on a leash during this time."

Wheaton has added the following special sections to the city website:

Click to find out about Coyotes in Wheaton
Click for more About coyotes and what to do if you encounter one
Click to find out How to deter coyotes
(2) Added February 12:
Click for Video - Coyotes In Suburbia - Protecting Your Pets

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Press Release

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

WHEATON, Ill. – The Police Department has received reports of coyotes being sighted in the area of Weaver Court and the surrounding neighborhood. No problems were experienced in these recent sightings.

Coyotes are a common wild animal in this area of Illinois. Usually they reside in wooded areas, however, they enter residential neighborhoods occasionally.

In most cases, wild animals such as coyotes are attracted to food sources such as bird feeders, compost piles and uncovered trash containers.

Coyotes can survive on whatever food is available, from rodents to rubbish, from insects to fruit to carrion. They can be a threat to family pets. Although no attacks have been reported within the City of Wheaton, in isolated but tragic cases elsewhere, coyotes have attacked small children.

Essentially unimpeded by control measures, abundant food has encouraged coyotes to become accustomed to the sight and sounds of humans. Consequently, coyote populations and range have expanded in recent years in the Western suburbs.

While coyotes are valuable in decreasing the rodent population, their presence in populated areas can be minimized.

• DO feed pets indoors or promptly remove dishes when pets complete their meal outside. Store bags of pet food indoors.
• DO clear brush and dense weeds from around property. This deprives rodents of shelter and reduces protective cover for coyotes.
• DO use trash barrels equipped with tight clamping devices on the lids, which will prevent spills should they be tipped over by large animals.
• DO try to educate your friends and neighbors about the problems associated with feeding coyotes. If you belong to a homeowner’s association or neighborhood watch, bring up the subject during one of the meetings.
• DO NOT feed or provide water for coyotes or other wildlife. This practice abnormally attracts coyotes and promotes increased numbers of rodents, birds, snakes and other creatures that can provide major portions of the coyote’s natural diet.

TO PROTECT PETS

• Keep small pets (cats, rabbits, small dogs) indoors. Don’t allow them to run free at any time. They are easy, favored prey. Some coyotes hunt cats in residential areas.
• Dogs should be brought inside after dark and never allowed to run loose.
• DO NOT leave domestic pet food outside. Wildlife will soon depend upon it.

Anyone may phone 9-1-1 should they observe any wild animal behaving in a threatening manner. Officers will respond.
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Related articles about our neighboring community can be read at: mysuburbanlife Glen Ellyn edition

The Wheaton Sun website is: Suburban Chicago News - Wheaton Sun Edition

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For "official" information about coyotes at BLMH, for policies and procedures and specific recommendations at BLMH, contact the "Communications Director" c/o the Board of Managers. 

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Additions, Errors, Omissions:
(1) Added note to remind BLMH residents that we are not residents of Glen Ellyn and we should not call the Glen Ellyn Police Department. We should follow the instructions and recommendations of the Wheaton Police Department!
(2) Added link to video, which will run in Microsoft Media Player, etc.