A black bear was spotted on Maple Street in New Providence on Tuesday, Aug. 25, prompting police and emergency management officials to urge residents to keep their distance.
The bear was last seen moving through woods toward Brookside Drive, according to Patch reporter Dani Sepe, who first reported the sighting. New Providence police and emergency management advised residents to use caution around the animal.
Bears have visited the borough before. A November 2016 sighting ended with officers losing track of a bear they believed was heading toward Summit.
Patch noted that bears eat heavily ahead of winter, which can push them into residential areas looking for food.
What to do if you see a bear
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection advises residents who spot a bear to stay calm, make the bear aware of their presence, ensure it has an escape route and slowly back away. From a safe distance, make loud noises (yelling, clapping or banging pots) to encourage the bear to leave.
A bear standing on its hind legs is not necessarily threatening. It may be trying to see better or pick up a scent. But a bear that huffs, snaps its jaws or swats the ground is signaling that someone is too close. Back away slowly without running.
Bears may bluff charge when cornered, threatened or trying to take food. The DEP advises standing your ground, avoiding eye contact and then backing away slowly.
Black bear attacks are extremely rare in New Jersey, according to the DEP. If one occurs, the agency advises fighting back and aiming for the snout or eyes.
How to keep bears away
Residents should secure trash in bear-resistant containers, clean grills after use and remove birdseed, pet food and other attractants from yards. Intentional feeding of bears is illegal in New Jersey. Dogs should be kept on leashes outdoors, since an encounter can provoke either animal.
How to report a bear
Residents can report nuisance or aggressive bear behavior to the DEP's 24-hour hotline at 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337). Call 911 if a bear poses an immediate threat.
