BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A black bear was spotted roaming in Bridgewater on Wednesday, prompting the Township to send out an alert.
The Townshop received reports of a black bear in the vicinity of Vanderveer Road near Bradley Gardens.
Residents are asked to:
Keep a close eye on children and pets and consider keeping them indoorsSecure or bring in trash cans, bird feeders, and pet foodRefrain from approaching or feeding the bear
“Black bears are natural to our area and you may see one from time to time wandering around during the spring and summer months, this is normal. Unless they are acting aggressive or are causing a nuisance, please do NOT call 911, please call your local police on the non-emergency number or the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife at the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337) to report black bear damage or nuisance behavior,” said Bridgewater Police.
Here are some bear safety tips from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection:
Never feed or approach a bear!Remain calm if you encounter a bear. Do not run from it.Make the bear aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises.Make sure the bear has an escape route.If a bear enters your home, provide it with an escape route by propping all doors open.To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans, or using an airhorn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.The bear may utter a series of huffs, make popping jaw sounds by snapping its jaws and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away, avoid direct eye contact, and do not run.If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. It is usually not a threatening behavior.Black bears will sometimes “bluff charge” when cornered, threatened, or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, then slowly back away and do not run.If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area.Report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).Families who live in areas frequented by black bears should have a “Bear Plan” in place for children, with an escape route and planned use of whistles and air horns.Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear does attack, fight back!
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