Coyote Status Again the Focus of Public Comments at Cook County FPD Meeting

Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners
March 15, 2022, 10:00am

The meeting was called to order and quorum was established.

Public Comment:

• Much of the meeting was devoted to public responses to the housing of the coyote “Rocky” at the River Trails Nature Center. 
• There were 53 written testimonies submitted, and 22 individuals spoke. 
• The speakers were nearly equally divided between those that wanted the coyote to remain at River Trails and those that wanted the animal transferred to a rehabilitation center and wildlife sanctuary. 
• Those in favor of the coyote remaining cited the animal’s status as an Outdoor Ambassador for the Forest Preserves and the care and professionalism of the staff at the nature center. 
• Those in favor of moving the animal to a sanctuary cited the stress-related behaviors the animal is exhibiting in its cage. 
• The move to a center will not cost the County anything.

Observer - Trudy Turner