Crime & Safety
Have You Seen a Mountain Lion?
Several area residents have reported seeing the big cats, but officials say rumors of a mountain lion in the area are still unverified.
Several area residents have reported seeing a big cat — possibly a mountain lion or bobcat — around Westwood, Washington Township and elsewhere over the past few days.
The sightings have not been confirmed, according to police. The animal may not even have been a cat, according to animal control officials.
The first local reports came from Westwood residents who said they saw a large cat in , according to Police Chief Frank Regino. The sightings were made last week but not reported until April 30, so there was not much police could do at the time but notify the board of health, the state and animal control, Regino said.
Find out what's happening in Westwood-Hillsdalefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Tuesday, a resident reported to police that a mountain lion was seen near Garden State Parkway exit 168 in Washington Township. Residents passed rumors that a sighting of a 125-pound mountain lion in the area had been confirmed, but police said they had been unable to verify the claims.
"Nothing was confirmed," Regino said. "We haven't heard anything since."
Find out what's happening in Westwood-Hillsdalefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Ho-Ho-Kus Police said reports of a mountain lion sighting near their border with Hillsdale Wednesday were also unverified.
While there are occasional reports of mountain lions in New Jersey, none have ever been verified, according to a representative from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Carol Tyler of Tyco Animal Control said she has not seen the animal in question and has not yet found any paw prints. Residents may have been seeing a coyote with mange, a disease which causes animals to lose their hair, Tyler said.
"We'll keep an eye out," Tyler said.
Mountain lions can grow as long as eight feet long and weigh 150 pounds. Bobcats, which are classified as an endangered species in New Jersey, can grow three feet long and weigh as much as 40 pounds. Coyotes can grow slightly larger than a bobcat.
In the event of an encounter with a mountain lion, the National Park Service recommends making noise, standing up to appear as large as possible, throwing rocks and sticks and fighting back if a mountain lion attacks.
