Coyote Seen Near South Toms River School; What You Can Do

South Toms River school officials and residents are on the lookout, after a coyote was seen lurking around the school on Monday, according to a report.

The Shore News Network reported that South Toms River Elementary School Principal Dennis Holzapfel sent a letter home to parents of children at the school notifying them of the coyote sightings.

“Children did not go outside for recess as a result of coyote sightings on school grounds,” Holzapfel said in the letter, according to the report. “A report was created with the Division of Fish and Wildlife.” Holzapfel’s letter further told parents to keep children away from school grounds until “this matter is resolved.”

The state Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife says the coyote population in New Jersey has steadily risen since the first recorded sighting in Lambertville in 1939.

The division said the coyote “closely resembles a small German shepherd with the exception of its long snout and bushy, black-tipped tail. Another key difference from a domestic dog is readily noticeable even from a distance: The coyote has a habit of holding its tail below a horizontal position while standing, walking and running.”

Division officials also offer the following information:

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.

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.

(Eastern coyote. Photo courtesy NJDEP)