BY JANE MEGGITT
Staff Writer
MILLSTONE – Bears have made regular appearances in the area recently, but now another predator has decided to make western Monmouth County its home.
Coyotes, which are wild animals of the dog family that are native to the North American Plains, have recently been spotted in Millstone and Upper Freehold Township, as well as in surrounding municipalities. The animals resemble small wolves.
According to the Web site www.njskylands.com/odcoyotes.htm, there are approximately 3,000 coyotes in New Jersey, and the state has the potential to support a coyote population of 5,000.
Although coyotes rarely pose a threat to people, according to the Web site, “In the spring, when they’ve denned up, coyotes will protect their territory. They might cede part of their range – a yard – to a large dog, but small dogs run the risk of being attacked.”
Some coyotes in northern New Jersey have killed sheep, poultry and the occasional pet, which places them in the same category as the bear, bobcat, dog and Great Horned Owl, as well as cars, according to the Web site.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRIE ADAMS Clockwise from top: Christina Hansen, a registered technician at Veterinary Surgical and Diagnostic Specialists in Millstone, holds a hurt coyote pup found in the area last week. A coyote that suffered multiple injuries from a car accident paid a visit. The pup is shown after surgery with a cast on. Surgeon James Winkler completes a procedure on a coyote pup. One little coyote found near the Washington Township police station on Route 130 had a brief, unexpected stay in Millstone Township this month.
On June 13, Animal Control Officer Mary Klink brought the approximately 3-month-old puppy to the Veterinary Surgical and Diagnostic Specialists (VSDS) animal hospital in the Clarksburg section of the township.
The male coyote received emergency care at VSDS because it had most likely been hit by a vehicle.
According to Brie Adams, VSDS’ hospital administrator, the pup was stable but nonambulatory when Klink brought him in.
After an initial assessment by attending veterinarian Dr. Craig Hopkins, and subsequent radiographs, VSDS determined that the coyote had two fractures of the hind legs but did not appear to have sustained any neurological damage.
Adams said the pup also had a degloving wound, or a complete loss of skin, over the right elbow. She said this type of wound is consistent with the impact of a moving vehicle.
“The fractures were stabilized, and the coyote was provided [with] intravenous fluids and pain medication,” Adams said. “The coyote was initially fractious but eventually became a very cooperative and compliant patient with the help of minimal sedation.”
The hospital observed the pup for the next 24 hours to make sure he was not contagious or infectious, or suffering from any other ailments, according to Adams. She said the coyote was able to rest quietly in an isolated area.
The following day, the animal was ready for surgery with Dr. James Winkler, an orthopedic surgeon. The pup had a total of three fractures.
Winkler repaired a right femur fracture approximately one week old that was just above the coyote’s knee. Adams said the right femur fracture was repaired by placing three pins and one screw in the leg for stabilization.
There was also a more recent left tibia fracture, which was repaired on June 15. Adams said the third fracture, that of the left femur, appeared to have occurred at least three weeks ago.
“For all surgeries, he was placed under general anesthesia and maintained on IV [intravenous] fluids and IV pain medications,” said Adams.
This is not the first time VSDS has performed surgery on wildlife. Last year, according to Adams, the center treated a wallaby from Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange.
The veterinary center and local animal control are currently searching for a facility that has a license to rehabilitate the pup.
Adams said VSDS looks forward to a full recovery for the coyote, and the ultimate goal is to re-release him once he has healed.