Coyote Rescued from Aldi Fridge Section in Humboldt Park

Chicago: So, get this! Two Chicago police officers were called to an Aldi grocery store in Humboldt Park because a wild animal was hiding in the fridge section. They were trying to coax it out with brooms, which is pretty funny to picture.

After some poking around, one officer finally grabbed a bushy tail, and guess what? It wasn’t a raccoon or a stray dog. It was a coyote! The little guy jumped back and hid behind the veggies.

The police and Animal Care and Control showed up around 9:45 a.m. and managed to get the coyote out safely. Thankfully, no one got hurt. By Monday afternoon, the coyote was at the Animal Care and Control facility, waiting to be sent to a wildlife rehab center. He looked fine but would get a full check-up to make sure he’s healthy before being released back into the wild.

This isn’t the first time a coyote has wandered into a Chicago food spot. Back in 2007, one strolled into a Quiznos sandwich shop. And in 1999, another coyote got hit by a car and ended up under a taxi near the Art Institute. It seems like they have a knack for finding their way into busy areas.

Even though coyotes are pretty good at dodging cars, they still get hit a lot, which is a big concern. A wildlife biologist explained that coyotes usually stay away from people, but sometimes they end up in human spaces, especially during mating season from January to March. That’s when they’re more likely to be seen.

If you spot a coyote, the advice is to make yourself look big and loud, then back away slowly. They’re not really a threat to people, with only one attack reported in Chicago in 2020. Still, it’s best to keep your pets close and secure any food that might attract them.

Most coyotes in Chicago are never seen by people, but they’re definitely around. It’s wild to think that if you live in the area, you’re probably within a coyote’s territory. Who knew they were so common in the city?