Wildwood Coyotes: Starved attraction or urban menace?

Concerns have intensified in Wildwood, New Jersey, regarding a local coyote population that has become increasingly visible on streets. Approximately six coyotes are known to inhabit the bayside area, with some residents suggesting their presence dates back decades to when the site was a city landfill. Recent development has cleared natural brush, making the coyotes more apparent and leading to fears about their well-being due to their emaciated appearance.

Despite the animals' apparent hunger, Mayor Ernie Troiano has declared a strict policy against feeding them, warning of potential fines up to $5,000. He stresses that feeding disrupts their natural foraging behavior, which has sustained them for years. Residents, however, argue that the loss of habitat has created an unsustainable environment for the coyotes, prompting authorities to consider euthanasia when contacted about relocation options, a solution many find undesirable.