In light of the recent black bear sightings around Lakewood, DPW Supervisor Arrechi provided the following tips from Wildlife experts.
•A black bear passing through a residential area should not be considered a problem, as long as it is behaving normally and not posing a threat.
• If you encounter a bear remain calm and do not run. Make sure the bear has an escape route. Avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly and speak with a low, assertive voice.
• Black bear attacks are extremely rare. Should a black bear attack, fight back. Do not play dead.
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.
The best advice is to keep your distance.
Wow, this is just great!
1) “A black bear passing through a residential area should not be considered a problem”… gee, thanks for the reassurance. Maybe I was just overreacting when I saw this huge beast on my front yard. Few! Now I can just let my kids play with the nice teddy bear.
2) “speak with a low, assertive voice”… Yes, it’s very important to talk to the bear and tell him to go away. Just staying silent will totally insult it.
3) “Black bear attacks are extremely rare. Should a black bear attack, fight back”… Excellent advise! I’m just going to give my best potch and he’ll run away with his tail between his legs, right? Never mind that I might get the 1000 pound beast really angry…
4) “Report bear damage, nuisance behavior….” Hi DEP? Yes, this bear is really being a nuisance to me. What’s that? Oh, nothing really- you see it’s just really ANNOYING that I have this animal who can swallow me alive sitting on my property, but I’m probably just overreacting.. I should really have more ‘respect’ for the wild life. After all, they came first.
Thank you DEP for putting things in perspective for us!
The bear was spotted on North Lake Drive between Oak Knoll and Cedar Row. It has been hanging out in the woods next to the west end of the lake. Be alert. Bears are not friendly. They are aggressive predators. Why the police will not take a more proactive position on this, I do not know. How can children stand on the bus stops alone? The bear is six feet tall.
It’s not the polices fault there are state regulations.
to “Public Health Specialist” when monday or sunday night?
Don’t leave baby in carriage alone! I remember a few ago it grabbed A baby in the Catskils nebech
This is prbably one of the most foolish posts I have ever seen. Where can we see the post that suggests animal control gets on top of this and at leasts makes an effort to hunt this animal down and subdue it. Let it go where it should be- far away from people!
To #2: Because they’re liberals like most Americans, and they care more for the animals (and their ‘rights’) more than our children. My advice would be as follows-
What to do when Coming Across a Black Bear:
Answer is 3 words: Aim. Steady. Shoot!
The alternative is to follow the dumb liberals and let the bears have neighborhood children for dinner.
enough about animal rights, what about human rights???
It is amazing how twisted people are, when the rights of a bear take precedence over the rights of a human being. even if we have to respect the bear’s rights, why can’t they stun the bear and release him in the neighborhood of the animal rights activists so they can care for him and ensure he is not denied any of his rights?
Mr Ranger says just give him a nice pick-a-nick basket, and he’ll head back into the woods with Boo-Boo.
if people would kindly post any sightings of the bear so that we know if we should be on the lookout or if it already moved on, that would be greatly appreciated. I walk the trails in that area and I would much rather not be caught by surprise.
Thank you!
the bears were here long before anyone else. if you have an issue living with them you should move to the big city
As long as you leave them alone, they will leave you alone. Educate your children to not bother them and you won’t have a problem. There have always been bears in New Jersey, it is us that are moving into their natural habitat. Scared of the remote possibility of encountering a bear? Move out of New Jersey.
There is one other piece of information that was forgotten. If you ever see a baby bear, do not approach it no matter how cute it looks. The mother is always nearby even if you don’t see it.