Coyote Spotted near Bentley Court, El Sierra School

A coyote has been spotted numerous times this week near Bentley Court , 68th Street and , according to nearby residents.

According to reports, the coyote likes to hide in a nearby detention pond, making it hard to spot. The coyote might have been attracted to the area by deer that have been spotted at the same location.

The police and authorities have been notified, and we will update with any new information we receive.

For suggestions on what to do if you encounter a coyote, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has a webpage about coyotes, which you can find here. Below are a few bullet points from that page.

• If you encounter a coyote, be confident and bold. Make loud noises, and make yourself look larger by raising your hands above your head or flaring your jacket wide open to let the coyote know you are “top dog.”
• Do not be submissive, turn your back or run.
• If you are uncomfortable, leave the area calmly, facing the coyote as you leave.
• If walking on trails frequented by coyotes, carry a deterrent, such as an air horn, whistle, walking stick or cane.
• Always keep yourself between a coyote and children or pets.
• If you are followed by a coyote, you are likely walking through its territory, and it is merely escorting or “shadowing” you to make sure you are not a threat.
• Although unlikely, if you encounter aggressive behavior, throw clods of earth or sticks near the ground by the coyote first and then, if necessary, toward its body, never at its head.