Black Bear Spotted in Princeton Township

A three-foot tall black bear was spotted in Princeton Township on Wednesday and by mid-afternoon the bear wandering in the woods between Terhune Road and the Princeton Shopping Center off Harrison Street. 

A Plainsboro resident first reported the bear around 12:30 p.m. after spotting it between Thanet Road and Governor's Lane, according to Princeton Township Police Sgt. Mike Cifelli. 

Two news choppers flew overhead as Princeton Animal Control Officer Mark Johnson combed the woods off Terhune Road and police maintained traffic in the area. 

"Obviously, if you see the bear, don't approach it and don't attempt to make contact with it," Cifelli said. "And call us right away."    

Black bears typically come out of hibernation in late spring and are often spotted in the area, Cifelli said. Last year, there were multiple sightings of a bear along Cherry Hill Road for several days before the animal apparently left the area. 

Typically bears do not approach people, police said. 

Township Police notified the state division of wildlife management, which will respond if and when the bear is up a tree or in a contained area.