MANALAPAN, NJ – A black bear has been spotted in Manalapan and officials are reminding residents to use common sense when bears are in the neighborhood.
“Bear sightings have been reported in our area and in our surrounding town,” the Manalapan Police Department reported. “Bears are drawn to areas where there is food or garbage. If black bears are fed intentionally or unintentionally by way of garbage or food left out for pets they will associate people with food, and they will return to those areas. Bears will eat almost anything! This includes human food, garbage, pet food, birdseed and small livestock. One person feeding a bear intentionally or otherwise can create a problem for our entire community.”
In order to avoid creating a problem for the community, it is important that bears are not fed intentionally or unintentionally. If you encounter a black bear, follow these safety tips:
The department warned against feeding or approaching the bear.
Black bear attacks are extremely rare, but if one does attack, fight back, the department said.
Aim for the snout and/or eyes and use anything at hand, such as a knife, sticks, rocks, binoculars, backpack, or kick the bear. The bear may utter a series of huffs, snap its jaws, or swat the ground as warning signs that you are too close. 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, which is not necessarily a threatening behavior.
If you see a bear in your neighborhood, stay indoors and call the police or the DEP hotline at 877-927-6337. By taking these precautions and being mindful of your surroundings, you can help ensure the safety of both humans and bears.