
A coyote found itself the center of an unexpected hubbub in the chiller of a Humboldt Park Aldi. WGN-TV reported the furry animal was discovered amongst the refrigerated goods at the store located on North Kedzie Avenue, surprising morning shoppers and employees alike. Authorities were summoned to the scene and were successful in extracting the animal without incident—it was neither a tale of romance nor woe, as no injuries were reported for the lone wanderer or anyone else present.
The amorous escapades of urban wildlife are hardly a rare occurrence during this time of year, with increased coyote activities being noted each mating season, January through March, a point corroborated by both WGN-TV and ABC7 Chicago reports. Officials suggest an uptick in sightings can often lead to these whimsical, if not perplexing, encounters.
After being escorted from the store, the coyote was placed under the watchful eye of Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation, which has taken responsibility for the creature's well-being. Ensuring that it hadn't sustained any injuries before considering a release back into the wild, the wildlife group remains gatekeepers to this coyote's return to its natural habitat. The incident, catching the eye of local patrons and the lens of social media, spun a viral tale as the video footage circulated, amassing millions of views, according to ABC7 Chicago.
Stan Gehrt from the Cook County Coyote Project articulated the scenario, stating, "It picked an odd location. They do this sometimes. They make a mistake. They're trying to avoid us. They're trying to hide from us," noting the store's produce section, under the fine cheeses, as the coyote's chosen refuge, demonstrating that even in a bustling cityscape, wildlife encounters remain unpredictable, though said transient coyotes are often those still seeking a mate. As always, officials caution against leaving food outside that might attract such creatures.