A coyote bit a man near the Rutgers University Ecological Preserve on the Livingston campus early Thursday, the university said.

The victim, who Rutgers said is "affiliated” with the university, was walking on the footpath of Avenue E near Hospital Road when the coyote ran out of the woods and bit him, according to an email sent to Rutgers students and staff. The university described the coyote as “aggressive.”

The was treated and released at a local hospital, authorities said. The university would not elaborate on the victim’s age or relationship to Rutgers.

Following the attack, the Rutgers Police Department increased its patrols in the area and in the preserve, the email stated.

An alert that was sent to students and staff shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday to let them know about the attack said the area had been “deemed safe."

The 316-acre preserve is a nature teaching area owned by Rutgers and abuts the Livingston campus. It is open to the Rutgers community and public during “daylight hours,” according to the preserve’s web site.

Police reminded students and staff to avoid contact with stray or wild animals and said that if anyone was ever scratched or bitten to seek medical treatment and report the incident to the department at 732-932-7211.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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