Coyote Activity Increases In Parsippany: Here's What To Do

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Coyote activity seems to be on the rise, as sightings across the state have become more common in recent weeks, including in Parsippany.

Coyote sightings in and around the township have been reported by township officials specifically in the Powder Mill area, however, they can be in other areas as well.

Coyotes are mostly nocturnal creatures that eat rodents, rabbits, and cats, but they will also attack dogs and livestock.

In a message to the community, NJ Fish & Wildlife noted that although coyotes are by nature wary of humans, their behavior changes if given access to human food and garbage.

This change can make them lose caution and fear and they may cause property damage and threaten human safety, requiring euthanasia.

To understand how to deal with these animals, the agency has offered a few safety tips"

• 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.

Coyotes can be deterred with motion lights outside homes, and leaving radios on at night can also deter them. Farmers with livestock should maintain a well-maintained electrified fence to keep coyotes out. Devices with lights and sirens that cycle periodically during the night are available and can be placed in sheep pastures to deter coyotes.

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife estimates that there are approximately 3,000 coyotes in the state. Although the state does not track the number of sightings, the coyote population has grown since 1980 and can now be found in all 21 counties.

Human coyote attacks are uncommon in the northeast. One of the few recorded coyote attacks on a human in New Jersey, however, occurred in September 1999. A woman walking her dogs in Boonton Township was attacked by a coyote.

During the struggle, the woman fell and broke her leg. The coyote then approached her and bit her on the arm, refusing to flee until an onlooker beat him with a stick.

If you observe coyotes in the daytime that show no fear of humans or if a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact the local police and NJ Fish and Wildlife at 908-735-8793; outside of normal business hours call the DEP Hotline at 877-WARN-DEP.