Coyote Sighted In Manalapan

MANALAPAN, NJ — Police have received reports of a coyote sighting Thursday in the area of Symmes Drive and Craig Road.

In a post to the public, police warned residents not to leave small pets or young children unattended or unsupervised. They also remind residents to be aware of their surroundings.

According to New Jersey Fish & Wildlife, it is rare that a coyote would attack a human. Coyotes main prey is rodents and rabbits.

However, if you observe coyotes in the daytime that show no fear of humans or if a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact local police and NJ Fish & Wildlife at 908-735-8793, the state advises.

Parents should monitor their children, even in familiar surroundings, such as backyards, the state advises.

The Eastern coyote is a wild member of the dog family and closely resembles a small German shepherd with the exception of its long snout and bushy, black-tipped tail, the state site notes.

Another key difference from a domestic dog is readily noticeable even from a distance, the state says: The coyote has a habit of holding its tail below a horizontal position while standing, walking and running.

Here is some other advice from the state:

• 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.

You can read more about Eastern coyotes here.