Chicago Police Pull Wild Coyote From Aldi Cooler In Shocking Incident

A wild coyote caused panic among customers at a Chicago Aldi when it was found hiding in the store’s refrigerated section Monday morning. The surprising moment was caught on camera and has since spread widely on social media.

The coyote had been spotted earlier roaming the parking lot of the Aldi store located in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. Somehow, the animal managed to enter the store and burrowed itself in a cooler under shelves of cheese products. Shoppers watched in disbelief as police and animal control officers carefully searched for the animal using broomsticks.

Eventually, one officer managed to grab the coyote by its tail and pull it out from the shelves. The startled animal briefly tried to run but was soon captured by Animal Care and Control without harm. Authorities confirmed the coyote was secured around 9:45 a.m.

Chicago Animal Care and Control stated the coyote appeared unharmed and was transported to their facility. Plans are underway to transfer the animal to Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation, where experts will evaluate its condition before returning it to the wild if appropriate.

According to wildlife experts, increased coyote sightings during this time of year are common. Stan Gehrt with the Cook County Coyote Project explained that coyotes are more active during their mating season, which typically runs from January to March. He added that younger, solitary coyotes often end up in strange places while searching for safe shelter.

Authorities remind the public that coyotes are usually not a threat to humans but urge residents to secure food and trash to avoid attracting wildlife.

The incident left Aldi shoppers with an unforgettable story, turning a routine grocery run into a viral moment.