As black bears emerge this spring, New Jersey officials urge people to secure garbage, food sources and pets and know what to do if one approaches.
As black bears emerge this spring, New Jersey officials urge people to secure garbage, food sources and pets and know what to do if one approaches.The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a warning to remind residents that black bears are emerging from their dens and will be searching for food.
Officials said it's important for you to be"bear aware" by securing garbage and other potential food sources that can attract them. Black bears have been sighted in all of New Jersey’s 21 counties. However, officials said most of the Garden State's black bears live in the northwest portion of the state, particularly in Morris, Sussex, Warren, and northern Passaic counties, as well as in portions of Hunterdon, Somerset, and Bergen counties. “We’ve had a long winter, and black bears are emerging from their dens and searching for food,” said NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner Dave Golden. “They have a remarkable sense of smell and can detect scents more than two miles away from a food source. Therefore, it’s very important that residents reduce the potential for encounters by removing trash and other potential food sources as the smell can draw them into neighborhoods. The risk of an unwanted encounter rises if bears associate you or your property with food.”• Secure trash and eliminate obvious sources of food such as pet food bowls, easy-to-reach bird feeders, and food residue left on barbecue grills. • Use certified bear-resistant garbage containers if possible. Otherwise, store all garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and place them along the inside walls of your garage, in the basement, a sturdy shed, or other secure area. • Wash garbage containers frequently with a disinfectant solution to remove odors. Put out garbage on collection day, not the night before.• Immediately remove all uneaten food and food bowls used by pets fed outdoors. Walk dogs on a leash if you live in bear country and keep them indoors or in a secure kennel at night.• Do not place meat, dairy, or sweet foods in compost piles.Caught on video: NJ officers save dog from burning home moments before collapse • Remain calm. Never run from a bear as this may trigger its predatory instinct. Instead, slowly back away. Avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as a challenge. Make sure the bear has an escape route. • To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, using a whistle, banging pots and pans or blowing an air horn. 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. • Make bears aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands or making other noises. If hiking through bear country, always make your presence known through loud talking or clapping of hands. Hike in a group whenever possible. • If a bear utters a series of huffs, makes popping sounds by snapping its jaws or swats the ground, these are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away and avoid direct eye contact. 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. This is usually non-threatening behavior. • Black bears will sometimes “bluff charge” when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, slowly back away and do not run.• 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.Philadelphia
Animals And Wildlife Critter Corner New Jersey
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former New Jersey assemblyman Alberto Coutinho killed in fiery crash in NewarkAlberto Coutinho, 56, was a state assemblyman and a leader in the city's Portuguese-American community.
Read more »
Former New Jersey Assemblyman Alberto Coutinho dies in Newark car crashFormer New Jersey assemblyman Alberto Courtinho, 56, served for more than five years, representing parts of Newark.
Read more »
New Jersey motorsports park event spirals into chaos, prompting emergency phone alertPolice in Logan Township are providing new information about an unauthorized event involving thousands of people at a motorsports park that quickly spiraled into chaos on Sunday, causing an emergency alert notice to light up phones across Gloucester County.
Read more »
Jersey City school gets new soccer pitch ahead of 2026 FIFA World CupJersey City P.S. 17 students are celebrating a brand new mini soccer pitch built for them ahead of the FIFA World Cup this summer.
Read more »
Eastlake rallies to beat visiting New Jersey team in Lions TournamentTitans tag a pair of relievers for five runs en route to a 6-2 win in the Lions Tournament’s Open Division play.
Read more »
At Beth El, a New Jersey Synagogue, a Deep Divide Over IsraelDisagreements about Gaza and Zionism have divided the congregation—and many others. Eyal Press reports on the tensions among American Jews.
Read more »