A recent increase in coyote and wildlife sightings in Hinsdale should not alarm residents, according to police.

“A lot of residents have been contacting police lately to let us know they have seen wildlife such as coyotes and fox in the area, and it appears sightings are more prevalent than in past years,” said Hinsdale Deputy Police Chief Mark Wodka. “We just want to make residents aware of the issue, but we also want them to know they are not in any danger.

“It is not uncommon for coyotes or foxes to be in the area, and I don’t think we have ever had an instance where anyone has reported an attack, or being bitten.”

Wodka also said police have received no reports of missing pets.

The recent sightings have come from all parts of town, with one resident who claimed a coyote den was present near his home, Wodka said.

“There also has been a lot of sightings of wild turkeys in the southern part of Hinsdale,” Wodka said.

Jennifer Vlazny, operations manager for the Hinsdale Humane Society, said humans should not be concerned over increased sightings of coyotes and fox.

“Coyotes and foxes are usually more afraid of humans than we are of them,” Vlazny said. “It is not in their nature to attack a being larger than they are.”

Residents should not feed wild animals, which can fend for themselves in natural habitat, Vlazny said.

“Their normal diet consists of mice, rats, insects and rabbits,” Vlazny said. “Coyotes and foxes are actually an asset as they help to minimize rodent populations.”

A coyote seen in a residential neighborhood may not live in the area. Coyotes have a feeding range of up to 12 miles, Vlazny said.

Trapping and relocating wild animals is not an option, Wodka said.

“These animals are a part of the natural habitat, and absent extenuating circumstances, there is little intervention that can lawfully be taken by a member of the police or Village of Hinsdale Public Services,” Wodka said.

Some residents are surprised to find out the animals cannot be trapped, tagged or killed, Wodka said.

“There really is very little we can do,” he said. “People should know that coyotes are creatures of habit. If you encounter a coyote the same place and same time while walking a pet, you may want to change your path or the time of your walk.”

According to Darien police, no sightings of coyotes have been reported the past two months.

“From the beginning of September we have received calls for goose, turtle, a chicken, a bat, and even an injured owl near Lemont Road that DuPage County Animal Control handled,” said Darien Deputy Police Chief John Cooper. “But none for coyote.”