Bear sightings have been reported in the Hidden Lake and Governors Pointe area today. Several North Brunswick Township Police units and Animal Control responded to the area. Upon their arrival, they did not find any evidence of the bear. Police will remain in the area as a precaution.
Spring is the time of year when bear sightings increase in the region. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection stress that bears simply pass through an area and not cause a specific problem, such as breaking into trash or accessing food sources on resident property.
Here are some bear safety tips from the NJ DEP:
- Never feed the bears.
- Remain calm. Never run from a bear.
- Avoid eye contact and back up slowly.
- To scare a bear away, make loud noises by yelling, using a whistle, banging pots and pans or blowing an air horn.
- Avoid bird feeders during bear season.
- Remove all uneaten food and food bowls used by pets fed outdoors.
Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to humans or pets.
To report a nuisance bear, please call the DEP’s 24-hour hotline at 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337).
Additional information may be found on the NJDEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife website at www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearfacts.htm
