Shocking Animal Found in Chicago Grocery Store Refrigerator (Video)

In a bizarre scene on Chicago’s West Side, shoppers at an Aldi grocery store in Humboldt Park witnessed an uninvited guest—a live coyote—hiding in a refrigerated produce shelf.

The unusual incident unfolded Monday morning at the Aldi located at 800 N. Kedzie Ave. Chicago police were called to the scene at 9:45 a.m., quickly discovering the coyote nestled among the chilled produce.

Eyewitnesses described the moments of chaos as officers attempted to capture the elusive animal. Several attempts were made to extract the coyote from its hiding spot. Customers stood frozen in shock as officers finally pulled the animal out by its tail.

The Aldi’s on Kedzie in Humboldt Park

I was prepared to see him pull out a opossum or a raccoon. Did NOT expect that pic.twitter.com/4CbaWkjhwy

— Eddie (@EddieBarstool) January 13, 2025

“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” said Maria Gomez, a shopper who filmed the event on her phone. “You don’t expect to see a wild animal in the fridge while grabbing lettuce!”

However, the coyote wasn’t done. It escaped the officers’ grasp and bolted back into the refrigerator, prolonging the standoff until Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) arrived.

CACC officers took custody of the animal later in the day. The delay sparked discussions about the agency’s ongoing challenges.

“Staff shortages and budget cuts have stretched us thin,” a CACC spokesperson admitted. “We’re grateful the situation ended safely.”

The coyote, assessed by Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation, appeared uninjured. It will undergo further evaluation before being released back into the wild.

Coyote sightings are nothing new in Chicago, where urban wildlife thrives alongside human activity. Liza Lehrer, assistant director of the Urban Wildlife Institute at Lincoln Park Zoo, explained the timing.
“Winter months make coyotes more visible,” Lehrer said. “With fewer people outdoors, they’re bolder in exploring urban areas.”

Chris Anchor, senior wildlife biologist for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, noted that mating season, which runs from January to March, adds to their activity.
“They’re defending territories and seeking mates,” he said. “This coyote likely wandered into the store accidentally, trying to avoid people.”

This isn’t the first time Chicago has seen coyotes venture into unexpected places:

• 2007: A coyote strolled into a Quiznos in the Loop during lunch hour. Employee Ronneshia Mukes recalled, “I jumped on the counter. I didn’t even know what it was at first!”
• 2020: A coyote bit a 6-year-old boy near the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park.

Chicago Animal Care and Control received 1,073 coyote complaints in 2023. That number rose to 1,358 in 2024. Experts urge residents to remain vigilant.

• Keep pets leashed and secure food sources.
• Never feed coyotes.
• If confronted, make noise and appear large.

While no injuries were reported at Aldi, the incident serves as a reminder of the city’s coexistence with wildlife. As Anchor noted, “Coyotes aren’t looking for trouble—they’re just trying to survive in the spaces we share.”