Plan To Trap 'Aggressive' Bear At Closed Morris Co. Park

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Morris County officials have stated that Tourne County Park will remain closed while they attempt to capture a black bear that has been reported to be aggressive toward visitors.

On Wednesday, June 21, the park was closed after the Denville Police Department issued an alert informing the public of several reports of a black bear acting aggressively toward park visitors, particularly dog owners who let their pets run free.

According to David D. Helmer, Executive Director at the Morris County Park Commission, the park will remain closed for up to seven days unless the bear is trapped sooner.

While the Morris County Sheriff's Patrol Unit has stated that they will be monitoring the park during its closure, Helmer said that the disposition of the bear will be determined by NJ Fish and Wildlife.

The Morris County Park Commission has said that dog owners allowing their pets off-leash led to the encounters.

"There were three separate incidents, and NJ Fish & Wildlife has determined that there were a least two different bears. We are aware that at least two of the incidents were impacted by a dog owner having their dog off-leash, violating Morris County Park Commission Rules and Regulations," Helmer told Patch.

According to authorities, one incident involved a bear approaching a park patron on the trail and continuing to follow the patron. The second reported incident appears to be a sow protecting its cubs who turned away or did not follow the patron.

No injuries, to either people or pets, have been reported.

This is not the park's first run-in with off-leash dogs; according to Helmer, the Park Commission was forced to close the park in 2021 due to a bear and off-leash dog incident.

Tourne County Park is a 561-acre general-purpose park with 10.7 miles of trails. It has picnic areas as well as an athletic field. The park system offers a view of the Manhattan skyline from its highest point, 897 feet.

Residents in the park's vicinity should exercise caution when encountering or observing any black bear, and should immediately report any aggressive or unusual encounters to the police department at 973-627-4900, ext. 9.