New Jersey Wildlife Incidents Increased in 2025

Animal attacks in New Jersey during 2025 included bears, coyotes, and snakes, highlighting surprising wildlife encounters across the state.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:06pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph shot through condensation or rain-streaked glass, composed of soft, warm pools of color and light that suggest the presence of a wild animal, such as a bear or coyote, in an urban or suburban setting.Blurred glimpses of New Jersey's diverse wildlife highlight the need for increased public awareness and coexistence as development expands across the state.Sussex Today

According to a new report, New Jersey saw a rise in animal attacks and encounters in 2025, including incidents involving bears, coyotes, snakes, and even a deer that made its way into a Marshalls store. While there were no documented bobcat attacks, sightings of the elusive felines have been on the rise across the state.

Why it matters

As New Jersey's human population continues to grow and expand into previously undeveloped areas, there have been more frequent and sometimes dangerous interactions between people and wild animals. These incidents underscore the need for greater public awareness and education about wildlife, as well as the importance of responsible coexistence between humans and the natural world.

The details

The report details several notable wildlife incidents from 2025, including two snake bites (one from an eastern massasauga rattlesnake and one from a copperhead), two bear encounters (one involving a black bear in a Vernon Dollar Store and another with a 6-year-old girl in Sparta), a series of coyote attacks in Bergen County, and even a fox bite in Montvale. Perhaps the most surprising event was a deer that made its way into a Marshalls store in Brick before being safely guided out by a customer.

  • In 2025, there were two snake bites reported, one in Sussex County and one on the Palisades Cliffs.
  • Two bear incidents got major press coverage in 2025 in New Jersey.
  • There was a series of coyote attacks in late 2025 in Bergen County.
  • A Montvale woman was bitten on the leg by a fox in an incident that occurred in December 2025.
  • One of the more surprising animal events of 2025 involved a deer that managed to get into the Marshalls in Brick.

The players

Pete Nuij

A photographer whose images were used to illustrate the article.

Erik Mclean

A photographer whose images were used to illustrate the article.

Nicole Murray

The gallery credit for the images used in the article.

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The takeaway

These wildlife incidents in New Jersey highlight the need for greater public awareness and education about coexisting safely with the state's diverse animal populations. As development continues, there will likely be more frequent encounters, underscoring the importance of responsible land use planning and wildlife management to protect both humans and animals.