Coyote Sightings Reported In Cranbury Wednesday

CRANBURY, NJ —Officials in Cranbury have reported numerous Coyote sightings on Wednesday.

Officers from the Cranbury Police Department have also reported coyotes in the area, the police department said.

"We have also been in contact with the Department of Agriculture in reference to possible attacks on goats and sheep in the area. We will continue to monitor the situation," police chief Michael J Owens said.

The police department has also shared the following precautions and 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.
• 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.

For more information, the NJ Department of Fish and Wildlife website.