Aldi shoppers could not believe a coyote was found on a shelf behind cheese

When video footage showing an officer working to get an animal out of a shelving unit at an Aldi store in Chicago's began, no one could have predicted what would eventually come out. Could it be a rat? A snake? Maybe even a possum?

No.

Instead, as the video goes on and the officer appears to pull something out by its legs, a coyote slowly slips between the produce shelves until it is on all fours inside the store.

Chicago Animal Care and Control and Chicago police confirmed they responded to the 800 block of North Kedzie around 9:45 a.m. Monday "and safely took custody of the coyote."

"The animal is currently at our facility awaiting transfer to our wildlife rehabilitation partner, Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation," CACC said in a statement to NBC Chicago. "The coyote appears uninjured, but Flint Creek will conduct an assessment to confirm its health before releasing it back into the wild if deemed appropriate."

Chicago police said no injuries were reported in the incident.

A witness said that the coyote had been lurking around the Aldi parking lot before finding its way inside the store and hiding in the fridge. The video of the incident was originally posted on X, with the creator writing, “I was prepared to see him pull out a opossum or a raccoon. Did NOT expect that.”

Later in the day, Chicago Animal Care and Control warned the public that it’s coyote mating season.

“January through March is coyote mating season, which means increased activity in urban areas, including Chicago. During this time, coyotes are more active and may be seen more frequently, even during daylight hours,” the agency said.