Weekend Bear Sighting Reported In West Caldwell

WEST CALDWELL, NJ -- The Memorial Day weekend has come with a pair of bear sightings in Essex County. As of Sunday, bear sightings have been reported in West Caldwell and Verona, according to local police bulletins.

Shortly before 9 p.m. on Friday, West Caldwell police issued an advisory to local residents, stating that a black bear was spotted in the area of Herbert Place and Eastern Parkway. No additional information was given in the advisory.

Then on Sunday at 10:22 a.m., the Verona Police Department issued the following advisory:

“A black bear has been seen on Crestmont Road in the area of Claremont Ave. Please use caution. Visit http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bearfacts.htm for information and tips.”

BEARS AND ESSEX COUNTY

Last month, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection released a list of tips for property owners and outdoors enthusiasts who want to avoid a potentially dangerous encounter.

• See related article: Essex County Bear Sightings Map (And How To Avoid Them)

“Bears have an acute sense of smell, and can detect scents more than two miles away,” the NJ DEP stated. “The most common problem property owners experience is black bears getting into garbage. Another common problem is unintentional bear feeding by homeowners, who unwittingly make household trash, pet foods and other food sources easily available for bears to find and eat.”

DEP wildlife experts stress that a black bear simply passing through an area and not causing a specific problem, such as breaking into trash or otherwise trying to access food sources on peoples’ properties or posing a safety threat, should be left alone.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife advises people to leave the area and allow the bear to continue on its way. Residents can report bear damage, nuisance behavior or aggressive bears to the Wildlife Control Unit of the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife at (908) 735-8793.

During evenings and weekends, residents should call their local police department or the DEP Hotline at 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337), state officials said.

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