Black Bear Seen In Verona, Moving Towards West Orange and Montclair

Verona, NJ – Bears are wonderful, majestic members of the local ecosystem.

But whatever you do, give them their space, authorities say.

The Verona Police Department issued an alert on Thursday afternoon, warning residents that a black bear was reportedly spotted in the wooded area behind Pilgrim Plaza on Pompton Avenue (behind Kings Food Market and along the side of Claridge House 2) around 10:30 a.m.

“The bear appears to be moving in a southeasterly direction towards West Orange and Montclair,” police stated.

Verona police continued:

“If observed, residents are cautioned to stay clear of the bear. In our recent experiences with black bears, they have not been aggressive and have moved through the area without incident. Black bears by nature tend to be wary of humans and avoid people.”

Bear sightings in the spring have been an increasingly common phenomenon around suburban areas over the past decades, and typically peak in May and June during the animals’ mating season, according to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife.

• See related article: Black Bear Sightings Increase as Spring Arrives in Essex County

“Black bears have been sighted in all 21 New Jersey counties, and bear-human encounters have occurred more frequently in recent years in places outside of traditional bear country, defined as the area west of Interstate 287 and north of Interstate 78,” the agency states on its website.

The DEP estimates that there are 3,600 black bears in northwestern New Jersey.

• See related article: Essex County: Bear Takes a Dip in Backyard Pool

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE A BLACK BEAR

Verona police say that if you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping, it’s best to follow these common-sense safety tips:

• If a bear enters your home, provide it with an escape route by propping all doors open.
• Avoid direct eye contact and never run from a bear. Instead, slowly back away.
• To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using 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.
• 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.
• Never feed or approach a bear.
• Remain calm.
• 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.

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File photo: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection