WILDWOOD, N.J. (WPVI) — Residents near Wildwood’s back bay are raising concerns about coyotes moving closer to their homes, while city officials say people feeding the animals is contributing to the problem.<\/p>\n
“We’re worried to death. I can’t even let my grandson out in my backyard. ” What’s going to be done?” resident Michael Young said.<\/p>\n
Tina Young said coyotes have dug beneath her fences and come close to her 5-year-old son.<\/p>\n
“They come up to my fence like looking at me for food. It’s nuts. I don’t know if they’ll bite or not,” she said.<\/p>\n
More than a dozen warning signs have been installed throughout the area telling people not to feed the coyotes.<\/p>\n
Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. said people who continue feeding the animals could face fines of up to $1,000.<\/p>\n
“Leave them alone. Don’t feed them. They will go to their food source. They have been here for years. We had no problems,” Troiano said.<\/p>\n
The area where the coyotes have been spotted is being redeveloped from a landfill into a nature preserve. Officials hope the coyotes will move back into their natural habitat.<\/p>\n
“They’re not being aggressive. I’ve pulled right up to them within 25, 20 yard, and they’re looking at you,” Troiano said.<\/p>\n
New Jersey Fish and Wildlife says negative human interactions with coyotes are at a minimum. To avoid attracting them, people should not feed coyotes and should secure garbage and pet food, strengthen fencing and consider using motion-activated lights or sound deterrents.<\/p>\n
No recent incidents have been reported. A wildlife professional assessed the area several weeks ago and is expected to return in the fall.<\/p>\n
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