A Coyote’s Story

Forest Preserves District Cook County (FPDCC) Board Meetings 
January 11 and February 8, 2022
River Trail Nature Center Facebook posts January 14 and 27

The Coyote's Story

•  A four year old coyote is housed at River Trail Nature Center (RTNC), Northbrook IL.  In 2018, this coyote was discovered under a house porch in Tennessee.  It was taken to a local animal shelter thinking it was a puppy and stayed there for several weeks, interacting/socializing with humans in preparation to be adopted.  When the shelter realized the animal was a coyote, it was transferred to a TN wildlife rehabilitation facility.  This wildlife facility tried to undo the imprinting as its identity was attached to humans.  Imprinting happens shortly after birth/hatching where the animal fixes its attention on the first object/animal it senses and then follows it, usually in the wild, a parent.  If a very young wild animal is removed from its surroundings, it imprints on humans.  It became apparent that this coyote was too friendly with, attached to, had no fear of and was dependent on humans.  The coyote at RTNC was imprinted and socialized with humans and is unable to survive in the wild.  At this point the RTNC, an animal sanctuary, is the coyote’s family (pack). 
• change.org petition:  this petition was started several months ago by a Northbrook IL resident.  In the petition, the coyote is named “Rocky” whereas animal facilities don’t give wild animals names because they are not pets.  People are asked to sign on to remove “Rocky” from FPDCC’s RTNC and transfer him to the Colorado Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg.  The petition states that at River Trail, the cage enclosure is too small for the large territory a coyote needs to roam in, coyotes need socialization in packs, the animal exhibits stress behavior and it cannot escape human noise.
• In the Jan 11 and Feb 8 FPDCC Board Meeting,  RTNC Facebook postings of Jan 14 and Jan 26, staff addressed  concerns regarding the living conditions of the coyote.  FPDCC acknowledges that this is not an ideal situation for the coyote and realizes all input shows concern for the animal.  The outside cage enclosure meets the IL IDNR and USDA standards and provides shelter from wind and rain.  It contains climbing structures, a platform and a hammock for exploration.  There are three den structures including a hollow log and a kennel where the opening is hidden from public view. The dens are small spaces for the coyote to curl up in and straw and blankets are provided.  The animal has a good coat of fur and is healthy enough to remain outside in the winter.  The enclosure is cleaned daily and at times undergoes deep cleaning.  There are several feedings a day, fresh water and daily enrichment training that includes mental tasks or challenges requiring use of different senses.  The animal’s behaviors are watched and veterinary care provided.  The coyote is not solitary and socializes with humans.  FPDCC staff includes a senior wildlife biologist, a former licensed animal rehabber and staff with zoo experience.
• This coyote is an Ambassador animal, used for educational purposes.  These popular programs are important especially for urban children who do not get the chance to see wild animals native to Cook County. People learn about the lives of animals and learn the importance of protecting wild habitats.  Young children remember these encounters.  The RTNC follows guidelines that apply to the coyote’s care, information taken from the Assoc. of Zoos and Aquariums Ambassador Animal Guidelines.
• FPDCC believes moving the RTNC coyote to the Colorado sanctuary would be very stressful and the move could endanger this male as it does not know how to communicate with or integrate with any coyote pack.  The coyote could face pack rejection from the two established resident packs already in the Colorado sanctuary.   FPDCC believes that since the coyote lives in a stable environment, it would be harmful to remove him. The FPDCC along with Commissioner Scott Britton will review goals/operations of the Nature Centers’ Ambassador animal programs and an update on the process and progress will come in March 2022 as there are no simple and quick answers to this public difference of opinions. 

Observer: Michele Niccolai