Bruin may be the same as one wandering community in recent weeks
By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
Police reported that a black bear was spotted Wednesday evening on New Road near Route 522 in Monmouth Junction.
Police advised residents to stay away if they encounter the bruin.
The bear may be the same one sighted in the area in recent weeks.
A black bear was reported wandering through downtown Cranbury the morning of July 3 and was later believed to be spotted in Plainsboro, according to police in that township.
The bear was first seen exiting Village Park and wandering down Maplewood Avenue on the west side of the Cranbury School property on July 3, police said.
Plainsboro police then alerted residents about a black bear sighting the next morning.
Plainsboro Lt. John Bresnan said at the time that the bear is probably the same one seen in Cranbury and two weeks erlier in Plainsboro again 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.
If a bear does become problematic, the Division of Fish and Wildlife removes it, he said.
The lone bear may have been a part of pair of bruins spotted in recent weeks in East Windsor, Cranbury, Monroe and South Brunswick.
One of that 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).

