This is Rocky the coyote’s current cage in the parking lot of the River Trail Nature Center, a road side zoo where he’s spent his life, alone, running in stress circles, and forced to clicker train.  An inexcusable, pathetic 266 square feet.

Rocky was found when he was a pup underneath a porch, where he was mistaken for a domestic canine.  He was taken to a local shelter where he unfortunately acquired a human imprint.

Rocky can never be released back to the wild, but he can be rehabilitated on acreage at the Wild Animal Sanctuary at no cost to Cook County or the taxpayers.  Please see more information on this page.

 

Here is an example of one of the multi acre coyote habitats at the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keensburg, CO.  Rocky would not be placed here immediately. He would 1st be placed in a different, temporary enclosure to acclimate to the area and slowly be introduced to other coyote through fencing, so he is protected until he is ready to enter to the other area.

This is the coyote enclosure from the ground level (employees and volunteers allowed down there only. Visitors are only allowed up on the bridge walkway, which you can see in the background of this video).

They also have another location in Springfield, CO, where they are building a 15 acre area for Rocky and another rescued coyote, Chi Chi.

Here is an example of two lions being rehabilitated and introduced to each other in temporary, smaller enclosures, safely, through the fence.  

This is how Rocky would safely be introduced to Chi Chi, a rescued female coyote.  

Here is another example of safety fencing within a habitat to introduce a new animal without being harmed.

 

If Rocky doesn’t get along with Chi Chi, he would be in his own, large, multi acre habitat.

Here is another view of the coyote habitat:

The Wild Animal Sanctuary has a veterinary hospital on the premises, unlike the Cook County Forest Preserves and River Trail Nature Center that force Rocky into an unnatural crate, further stressing him to travel to the vet.

Here are the transport trailers for the rescued animals.  They are kept calm, comfy and safe for travel to their new home!

Here is an example of rehabilitated hybrid wolves enjoying each other’s company.  Why must the Cook County Commissioners continue to deny Rocky the coyote this opportunity for a natural life with another coyote?