Morristown has had bears, Morristown has had foxes.
On Wednesday morning, a reader reported a large coyote was seen near Willow Hall on Speedwell Avenue.
While we’re tracking it down (figuratively), here’s some background about coyotes from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
The Eastern coyote can grow to about 55 pounds. Fur can be tawny or dark, resembling a German shepherd. Coyotes eat rodents, rabbits, birds, small deer, roadkill… and garbage. Don’t feed them!
Occasionally, they attack small pets. Attacks on people are rare, but precautions are advised.
The DEP says:
If you observe coyotes in the daytime that show no fear of humans or if a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact your local police and the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 908-735-8793; outside of normal business hours call the DEP Hotline at 877-WARN-DEP.
More from the DEP:
Coyote Precautions
The following guidelines can 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.
- 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.
- 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.
I live on the corner of Soeedwell and Max Drive and yes, we see the coyote on occasion. One time it watched from across the street while I walked our dog on our lawn.
I though it was a Fox, we’ve had them in our backyard for years in Burnham Park.
We’ve lived on Perry Street for the last three years and we’ve had a fox in our neighborhood since we’ve been here. He usually walks around in the early morning.
Sorry, I meant Olde Forge East
I am a dog walker and have seen a large coyote in that same area several years ago. I saw a similar sized coyote in Olde Gorge East apartment complex at night. I think they might live in the woods in that apartment complex or in the woods near Willow Hall (just across the street).