Fox Sightings Common In Livingston This Time Of Year, Police Say

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Township of Livingston. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Livingston Police Department (LPD) reminds residents that encounters with foxes and their cubs frequently occur at this time of year.

Fox cubs (called kits) are born in spring, most often in April and May. The little ones will start to carefully venture above ground after about a month, staying nearby. Kits will begin to hunt with their parents at about 10 to 12 weeks of age. Once that begins, it is safe to encourage them to leave the den site.

Numerous reputable online sources, such as the Humane Society of the United States and the National Wildlife Federation, offer suggestions regarding how to avoid encounters with foxes, how and when to encourage them to abandon a den location, and how to minimize chances of having a fox choose your yard for their den.

Foxes look for areas that can camouflage them from predators, such as under large trees or dense vegetation. A clean property is less appealing to foxes, so keeping a yard neat and uncluttered will discourage foxes from visiting. Something as simple as installing motion detector lights can also discourage foxes from choosing your yard.

It is not possible to tell if an animal has rabies simply by looking at it; the LPD recommends avoiding contact with all wild animals. Upon seeing a fox, there is no reason for concern, and there is no reason to contact Animal Control; foxes prefer to avoid humans. If there is a fox den in your yard, be sure to make loud noises when going into the yard, keep animals and children away from the area, and maintain a level of noise while outside that will let the foxes know someone is still there.

Seeing the occasional fox should not cause any concern. Chances are, the fox is just passing through and will be gone soon enough. Taking a few simple, humane steps that can be found online can help ensure that the fox does not decide to make its den in your yard.

More Information

With so many properties adjacent to wooded areas, it is natural that humans and wildlife inevitably come across one another. These behaviors exhibited foxes are normal and natural, and in most cases the animals will leave the area soon. Residents are reminded not to approach them and that there is no need to contact Animal Control unless an animal is being extremely aggressive, stumbling, or foaming at the mouth. State laws prohibit relocating or interfering with wildlife unless the animal presents a clear and present danger.

• Additional information can be accessed at njfishandwildlife.com
• Find out more about the Livingston Police Department at livingstonnj.org/Police

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