Montclair's Black Bear Feasts on Bird Seed Before Heading Up Tree

Watchung Avenue resident Sue Juliano said the bear that captivated much of the town's attention Tuesday was feasting in her yard on bird seed just before it climbed a tree in nearby Watchung Park.

Juliano said police rang her doorbell at about 6:50 a.m. to warn the family that a black bear was in their backyard. The cub knocked down their bird feeder and ate all the bird food, she said. 

The family was advised to stay indoors and Juliano said even her Maine coon cat wanted nothing to do with the bear and ran back inside. 

Soon after the photo above was taken by her husband, Michael, the bear crossed over into the neighbor's yard, crossed Park Street and headed into Watchung Park, where it climbed onto a branch about 12-feet above the ground. 

The bear remained there for about three hours until it was tranquilized and dropped out of the tree.

Juliano was among the dozens of onlookers who gathered around the park to watch the cub. 

"He looked like he was scared and hungry and tired," she said.