Bears, Foxes, And Fawns, Oh My: Livingston Tells What To Do If You See One

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Wildlife has been spotted all around the Garden State in the last three months, particularly those emerging for spring — from coyotes and foxes being spotted in Hoboken to bears getting hit by cars in North Jersey. Last spring, in Livingston, the town got several calls from residents who saw fox dens in their yards, and wanted to know what to do.

So this year, Livingston officials have sent out information proactively in the last two weeks about what to do if you see a fox, baby deer, or bear.

A town spokesperson said that the information wasn't prompted by new sightings, but by repeated calls each year.

So, when should you report a bear sighting to police? Could a fox have rabies, which is always fatal? How do you keep black bears out of your yard?

Here are the town's recent messages about what to do :

Regarding Foxes And Their Cubs/Kits:

If You Care, Leave Them There!

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), too, 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 steps to take to avoid encounters with foxes, how and when to encourage them to abandon the den location, and ways in which 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 your 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.

Unless foxes are clearly showing signs of rabies, which is very rare, there is no reason to contact Animal Control, and there is no reason for concern; 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 you are still there and not to approach.

Regarding Deer And Fawns

Springtime is the time of year you are most likely to come across deer and fawns. Most often, you’ll see a fawn lying in a yard or near a tree, and you might think it’s been abandoned, but it’s normal for the mother to leave the fawn for periods of time and then return. The fawn is not abandoned, and you should leave it alone and stay away from it.

According to the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, the lives of many young animals are often disrupted during spring and early summer as well-intentioned people try to “save” young animals when, in most cases, the mother is nearby.

When young, the fawn’s only manner of protecting itself is to stay still and hide until their mother’s return. Their color pattern and lack of scent help them remain hidden, and therefore safe, until the mother has returned. When humans come in physical contact with a fawn, the fawn can pick up the human’s scent, making it easier for potential prey to locate.

According to the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife:

If you find a young fawn lying alone, leave it there. The mother comes back several times each day to nurse the fawn. If you've already picked the fawn up and brought it home – put it back. Even one or two days after removal from the wild, fawns have been successfully reunited with their mothers, by returning them to the place where they were found.

More Information

With so many properties often adjacent to wooded areas, it is natural that humans and wildlife inevitably come across one another. These behaviors exhibited by foxes and deer 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 has been clearly showing signs of rabies, which is very rare. 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.

Regarding Bears:

Leave them Alone!

As the weather warms, the Livingston Police Department (LPD) reminds residents that black bear sightings and encounters may occur at this time of year. But seeing a black bear doesn't usually mean you need to take any action -- bears would rather avoid you than have anything to do with you.

Coming Into Contact With A Black Bear

Although they are not typically aggressive animals and tend to be wary of people, bears may engage in “posturing” — stomping, hissing, huffing, swatting the ground, swaying its head, popping its jaw, bluff charging — to intimidate other animals or people when they feel threatened. If you come across a black bear that’s standing its ground outdoors, stay calm, stay facing the bear, make yourself look as big as you can by standing up straight and spreading your arms, and don’t run. The bear is probably more afraid of you than you are of him. Make sure the bear has an escape route, do not make direct eye contact, back up slowly, and speak with a low, assertive but non-threatening voice.

You can take proactive steps to eliminate the chances of seeing a black bear in your yard.

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife offer bear-proofing tips:

• Secure your trash and eliminate obvious sources of food, such as pet food on decks, easy to reach bird feeders, or food residue left in barbeque grills
• Wash garbage containers frequently with disinfectant solution to remove odors. Store all garbage containers with tight fitting lids either in sheds, garage or any other secure area.
• Remove fruit or nuts that fall from trees in your yard.

Reporting A Black Bear Sighting

The Livingston Police Department works closely with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and receives updates on current policies and procedures for enforcement and for protecting both people and the animals.

Current policy upon receiving a call of a bear sighting is to monitor the bear’s movement. LPD monitors the bear’s movement through update calls from residents. There are only four situations in which any action is required; those are when the bear:

• poses a danger to the public,
• becomes trapped in a tree,
• is injured, or
• is near a school in session.

Should any of these conditions exist, the Livingston Police Department will respond and notify the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, which will then respond and help relocate the bear.

More Information

With so many properties often adjacent to wooded areas, it is natural that humans and wildlife inevitably come across one another. These behaviors exhibited by bears 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 has been clearly showing signs of rabies, which is very rare. State laws prohibit relocating or interfering with wildlife unless the animal presents a clear and present danger.

Additional information and facts about the black bear and about finding injured or young wildlife can be accessed at njfishandwildlife.com.