Domesticated coyote will remain living at Cook County forest preserve despite efforts to move him
NORTHBROOK - The coyote being kept at a Northbrook nature center will remain there.
The Cook County Forest Preserve tweeted that despite misinformation, "The coyote at River Trail is well-fed, well housed and receives daily enrichment from staff."
But forest preserve officials say it will be reviewing its Ambassador Animal Program in light of these concerns.
The controversy started with a petition, calling for the coyote to be re-located to a wildlife sanctuary, so it could have more space to roam free and potentially live in a pack.
More than 4,100 people have signed the petition.
For most of its life, the 4-year-old coyote has lived in an outdoor enclosure at the River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook. Along with some injured birds, the Forest Preserve calls them "ambassador animals" that teach us about wildlife.
But some Northbrook residents call the coyote’s cage "animal cruelty."
"Oh my goodness. It was heartbreaking. This is cruel. I wouldn't keep my own dog in a cage like this," said Nicole Milan.
"There's nothing natural about a coyote in a cage for life. It's not a life, it's cruelty," added Irene Sewell.
This all stems from a case of mistaken identity. When the coyote was born in Tennessee, someone thought it was a dog. By the time the mistake was discovered, the pup had imprinted on humans so life in the wild was not possible.
Since then, Brian Winters and his team at the nature center have cared for the animal.
"This coyote doesn't just require the usual care that one would give to an animal like this, but also regular human interaction. For all intents and purposes, we are his family," said Winters, River Trail Nature Center Naturalist, Assistant Director.
The Cook County Forest Preserve says the enclosure meets requirements of the USDA.
"Just because current laws are in place condoning this, things need to be changed. This is unacceptable. Absolutely heartbreaking," said Milan.
Milan is also concerned that it’s just too cold. Water bowls visible in other animal cages were frozen in early January.
But Brian Winters counters that coyotes are built for Illinois weather.
"An animal that has evolved over millions of years to live in a cold climate like this. He's fine," said Winters.
A petition to move the animal to a wild animal sanctuary in Colorado has more than 4,000 signatures.
Irene Sewell has visited and says Illinois taxpayers wouldn't pay a cent.
"He’d be able to roam in a natural environment and be with other coyotes, he'd be able to be a coyote," said Sewell.