Black Bear Sightings Reported In Manalapan, Police Say

MANALAPAN, NJ - Manalapan authorities are warning residents of potential black bear sightings in town.

In a Wednesday night Facebook post, police noted that the sightings were reported in and around Shilling Road.

“If you see a bear, please report it immediately, police said. “Be aware of your surroundings. If you encounter a bear, the NJDEP [New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection] recommends that you avoid direct eye contact, never run, and back away slowly.”

Bears have been causing quite an uproar in the state, with the DEP reporting nearly 2,000 bear incidents in 2022, compared to only around 650 incidents — which include sightings, damage and nuisance — during that period in 2021. The rising incidents spurred new interest in a statewide black bear hunt, which commenced with emergency approval from the governor in late 2022. Read more: NJ Bear Hunt Begins After Court Rejects Animal Rights Challenge

This isn’t the first time a black bear has made waves in Manalapan, either. A decade ago, Englishtown and Manalapan police chased a nearly seven-foot-tall bear into a heavily wooded area in Manalapan behind the Reiss Corporation. Police advised residents to keep a tight lid on their garbage cans, not to leave food outside and not to leave children or pets outside unattended at the time.

To report black bear damage and nuisance, call the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).