Coyotes are a natural part of the environment in Illinois’ rural, suburban, and urban areas. While spotting a coyote cross a field, backyard, golf course, or road does not necessarily constitute a problem or a dangerous situation for humans or domestic animals; due to recent incidents in the community, the Village of Palatine has brought in an Urban Coyote Specialist to track and identify potentially sick or aggressive coyotes. Palatine Park District is working with the Village to provide aid in their efforts to track these coyote patterns throughout Palatine.
On January 8, 2021, the Village released the following statement on their website regarding how they are addressing this concern:
The Palatine Police Department has continued to field community concerns regarding coyote sightings in the residential areas. To expedite a proactive response to this concern, the Village has reached out to an Urban Coyote Specialist with a strong record of positive results in other metro-area communities.
To help the specialist better understand our coyote population and patterns, the community is being asked for their assistance. Residents who observe a coyote in their neighborhood are asked to go to scientificwildlifemanagement.com/coyote-sightings/ and report the sighting and condition of the animal. Residents who have questions about the online reporting process can contact the police department at 847.359.9000. As coyotes are wild animals, residents should never actively seek out or search for them. Additional information will be provided as we continue to investigate these concerns.
To help in this effort, Palatine Park District has allowed the Village’s Urban Coyote Specialist to set up cameras in our parks to track coyote habits overnight. The District encourages residents to help identify any coyote activity in their neighborhood by reporting sightings to Scientific Wildlife Management. Coyotes are most active beginning at dusk through the early morning hours, however, they are also sometimes seen at other times during the day. To further prevent activity near your home, it is recommended that pet food not be left outside and that garbage is regularly secured in approved containers as these may attract other wildlife – including coyotes.
To learn more about coyote habits, their appearance, and conservation, visit the wildlife section of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website. The Village of Palatine also provides a recommendations for coyote encounters and preventable measures through their website. Questions about the online reporting process should be directed to the Palatine Police Department at 847.359.9000.