• Coyotes are causing disturbances in Chicago, particularly during their mating season.
• A viral video shows a coyote pulled from an Aldi store fridge by police officers.
• An emergency was declared on a United flight after a coyote was struck at O'Hare Airport.
• Residents are urged to take precautions to protect pets and secure food sources.

The recent surge in coyote activity in Chicago has been causing quite a stir, particularly as the animals enter their mating season, which runs from January to March. This period is seeing increased coyote sightings and interactions with humans in urban areas like Chicago. Notably, a viral video surfaced showing police officers and Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) personnel struggling to pull a coyote out of a refrigerator at an Aldi grocery store. The clip, shared by podcaster [Newsweek], quickly gained over 8.2 million views by Wednesday morning.

According to reports, the incident occurred at the Aldi located on North Kedzie Avenue, where officers employed brooms in their attempts to coax the bewildered animal from behind the fridge. Eventually, one officer pulled the coyote out by its tail, and though it initially made a dash back into the fridge, it was later secured without injuries. CACC stated that the animal would be sent for assessment to Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation [Newsweek].

Adding to the chaotic week, a United Airlines flight was forced to declare an emergency when it collided with a coyote during takeoff at O'Hare International Airport. The pilots reported after the incident, "During the rotation, we hit a pretty big animal, and we're suspecting it caused damage to the nose and landing gear." This resulted in the flight returning to the airport while a separate plane transported stranded passengers to their destination later that day.

Experts indicate that this surge in coyote encounters is typical for this time of year as breeding behavior prompts increased activity. Liza Watson Lehrer, Assistant Director of the Urban Wildlife Center at Lincoln Park Zoo, has advised residents to be on alert: "During mating season, coyotes are more active and may be seen more frequently, even during daylight hours."

With these encounters on the rise, authorities recommend that residents take safety precautions such as keeping pets leashed and ensuring food sources, particularly trash, are secured. This advice comes in light of the growing presence of coyotes in urban areas, which wildlife experts say thrive far from human sight, yet are now becoming more visible. As suggested by Chris Anchor, a senior wildlife biologist, "If you live in the Chicagoland region, you are within the territory of a family of coyotes."

As the city copes with this unexpected wildlife activity, community members are encouraged to remain vigilant while being respectful of the natural behaviors of these urban inhabitants. For ongoing updates and guidance, residents can monitor communications from Chicago Animal Care and Control and other local wildlife authorities.