Chicago Wildlife Hits the News

Coyote Not Ugly

Where did they get that saying?  I think coyotes are cute and the recent visit by a coyote to a downtown Chicago Loop Quiznos proves that they are nice looking animals.  I've read of coyotes being found in Chicago but this is the most interesting sighting:
Coyote Visits Quiznos in Chicago

Rattlesnakes Rattling Illinois Residents

Just when you think that has to be the most interesting animal happening in the area there is another story about rattlesnakes in northern Illinois!  And this endangered species bit a nice labrador in McHenry County.  Read all about it here.

Drunken Cop Attacks Bartender

And since we're talking about animals, you might as well read about one of Chicago's finest (hopefully to be ex-finest), attacking a much smaller vicitim.  Since this was picked up nationwide, you might already know about this one.  Read about it here.

Chicago Area's Most Popular Animal Locations

If you're more interested in a controlled wildlife encounter, northern IL has two popular zoos. I love Lincoln Park Zoo because you can visit the entire zoo in one day without feeling the need for a wheelchair after you're finished.  My son doesn't like it because it's not quite up to par with our other area zoo.

For anyone that has thought about Brookfield IL real estate, they are well aware of the famous Brookfield Zoo located in their town.  This zoo is huge and is constantly being updated.  A national news story that happened around Aug. of 1996 was when a 3 year old boy fell 20 feet into a gorilla enclosure. 

He was knocked unconscious from the fall but could have been further injured by the inhabitants of the site.  Instead, a female gorilla named Binti Jua picked him up and brought him to the zoo handler door where he was rescued in seconds.  He broke a hand and suffered some bruises.  What a story to tell his grandkids!

Animal experts say that the outcome could have been different.  If he was running or kicking and screaming he might have been attacked instead of rescued.  Being knocked unconscious from the fall could have actually saved him from a worse outcome.

There have been local zoo keeper attacks but the most famous recent one occurred in 2004 when a 17 yr. veteren zoo keeper was attacked by two lions at Lincoln Park Zoo.  Because of quick action by others at the zoo, she survived.  One of the most interesting aspects was that this zoo keeper was 60 when she was attacked.  Her grandchildren were able to live this experience with her!

Animal stories always interest me and I watch all of the Animal Planet animal control shows and I'm a sucker for news stories like these.

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