By Geena Molinaro, Special Writer
CRANBURY — A black bear reported wandering through downtown Cranbury the morning of July 3 is now believed to be in Plainsboro, according to police in that township.
The bear was first spotted exiting Village Park and wandering down Maplewood Avenue on the west side of the Cranbury School property, police said.
Police asked the parents of summer camp and recreation participants to not enter the wooded areas either before or after their activities and also said program administrators were notified of the bear’s presence.
Cranbury police reminded residents not to approach, or try and feed, any wildlife and to use common sense.
Plainsboro police alerted residents about a black bear sighting on the morning of July 4.
Plainsboro Lt. John Bresnan said the bear is probably the same one seen in Cranbury and two weeks ago in Plainsboro based on its characteristics.
"We get a bear in this area maybe every other summer from somewhere up north like Sussex County," he said.
The bear, which has been moving around the area, is not removed unless it poses a threat to people or causes damage, said Lt. Bresnan.
He said there have been no incidents involving wandering bears in Plainsboro, just sightings.
If a bear does become problematic, the Division of Fish and Wildlife removes it, he said.
A pair of bruins has also been spotted in recent days in East Windsor.
One of the pair was captured and returned to North Jersey, according to officials.
Black bears are the largest land mammal in New Jersey. They are an integral part of the state’s natural heritage and a vital component of healthy ecosystems, according to the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife website.
Since the 1980s the Garden State’s black bear population has been increasing and expanding its range both southward and eastward from the forested areas of northwestern New Jersey. Within the most densely populated state in the nation, black bears are thriving and there are now confirmed bear sightings in all 21 of New Jersey’s counties, according to its website.
Black bears by nature tend to be wary of people. According to its website, remain calm if you encounter a bear.
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.
Avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as a challenge. Never run from a bear. Instead, slowly back away. Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear does attack, fight back.
To 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).

