Advisory: Recent Coyote Sightings in West Orange

West Orange officials reported there have been recent sightings of coyotes in West Orange Township.

Coyotes travel mainly during the nighttime and often prey on small animals, such as rodents, but will take advantage of anything, including garbage, pet food and pets left unattended, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Do not leave pets outside unattended, township officials said.

If residents see a coyote, contact the West Orange Health Department at 973-325-4120. Furthermore, if residents see a coyote that does not show fear of people, especially during the daytime hours, contact the West Orange Health Department or Police Department at 973-325-4000.

Township officials strongly advise against feeding or approaching a coyote.

“Coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem, helping to keep rodent populations under control,” the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife said. “They are by nature wary of humans. However, coyote behavior changes if given access to human food and garbage. They lose caution and fear. They may cause property damage and threaten human safety, requiring euthanasia. Relocating a problem coyote is not an option because it only moves the problem to someone else’s neighborhood.”

The Division of Fish and Wildlife provided a list of guidelines to help reduce the likelihood of conflicts with coyotes:

• 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.

Visit the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife for the full list of coyote precautions.

(Patch file photo. Not a coyote sighted around West Orange Township.)