Coyotes Seen In West Orange – But That’s Not New

WEST ORANGE, NJ — “Coyotes have been sighted nearby in West Orange.” This was the advisory put out by town officials in Livingston on Monday as a precautionary message for residents living in the area.

“It’s important for Livingston residents to be aware of this fact and of steps they can take to ensure their own safety and that of their family members and pets,” officials said in their advisory, recommending that people visit the municipal website for more information.

Sightings of the animals – which play an important role in the ecosystem, experts say – have been uncommon but not rare in West Orange over the past decade. In April 2021, two large coyotes were seen roaming between Lynwood Way and Mountain Avenue near Llewellyn Park. In July 2015, a coyote was spotted in the area of Curtis Avenue and Pleasant Valley Way.

“Please be advised from time to time there have been sightings of coyotes in West Orange,” a municipal notice states.

“Please contact the West Orange Health Department at 973-325- 4120 if you see a coyote,” the notice continues. “If you do see a coyote that does not show fear of humans, especially during the day, contact the Health Department or the Police Department at 973-325-4000.”

West Orange has many other forms of wildlife, such as raccoons, fox, skunks, wild turkeys, deer, birds, bats and other small animals that live side by side with residents without causing much disturbance, officials added.

According to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, the first known record of coyote occurrence in New Jersey was recorded near Lambertville, Hunterdon County in 1939. Wildlife received another 29 reports statewide sporadically over the next 40 years, but sightings increased significantly since 1980.

To date, coyotes have been documented in nearly 400 municipalities from all 21 counties (roughly 94 percent of the state’s land area).

Because coyotes are so elusive, it is difficult to estimate their population size in New Jersey, but they likely number in the thousands, researchers at Rutgers University said in 2021.

According to researchers:

“Coyotes partially fill an important ecological niche left by the gray wolf, which was extirpated from most of the northeast by the mid-1800s. Although wolves generally preferred larger prey, both wolves and coyotes prey upon small mammals (i.e. rodents and rabbits), helping to suppress populations in both agricultural and residential settings. Coyotes do hunt white-tailed deer fawns in the spring and summer and will occasionally predate a vulnerable adult deer. Coyotes may also help suppress numbers of ‘mesopredators,’ such as red fox, raccoons, and feral cats. These species thrive in fragmented habitats and suburban/urban areas, and when not regulated by a top predator, can have devastating effects on populations of songbirds, shorebirds and turtles.”

Coyote populations are expanding throughout New Jersey, increasing the likelihood of coyotes living in or near developed areas, researchers said. Despite this increase, reports of coyote-related damage have remained relatively low. Coyotes are naturally wary of people, and they rarely cause property damage or act aggressively.

Rutgers researchers added:

“Coyotes in New Jersey were given furbearer status in 1980 and game animal status in 1997, allowing them to be trapped and hunted. During the 2018–2019 trapping season, 144 coyotes were harvested, with the average price of coyote pelts valued at $28.39. Coyote trapping season runs from mid-November to mid-March, and there is no daily or seasonal bag limit. All traps must be tended once every 24 hours, preferably in the morning. Coyotes may be captured using live-capture cable restraints following New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife guidelines. It is illegal to possess or use any steel-jawed leg-hold type trap anywhere in New Jersey.”

According to the state DFW, coyotes – along with red foxes – are sometimes afflicted with mange which can result in significant hair loss. The loss of fur can result in making identification of a coyote difficult, resulting in reports of a “mystery” animal, or even a cougar.

Here are some tips for reducing the likelihood that you’ll run into a conflict with a coyote, state officials say:

DON’T FEED THEM – “Never feed a coyote. Deliberately feeding coyotes puts pets and other residents in the neighborhood at risk. Feeding pet cats and/or feral (wild) cats outdoors can attract coyotes. The coyotes feed on the pet food and also prey upon the cats. Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over. Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates. Bring pets in at night. Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey. Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, and other farm animals. Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles. Past interbreeding between wolves and coyotes may be responsible for the larger size and color variations in the eastern coyote.”

TAKE PRECAUTIONS – “Although extremely rare, coyotes have been known to attack humans. Parents should monitor their children, even in familiar surroundings, such as backyards. Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house. Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings – this reduces protective cover for coyotes and makes the area less attractive to rodents and rabbits. Coyotes, as well as other predators, are attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated like woodpiles. If coyotes are present, make sure they know they’re not welcome. Make loud noises, blast a canned air siren, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden hose.”

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