Black Bear Spotted on Princeton Border Thursday

**Update: a black bear was spotted near Arreton Road and Route 206 in Princeton shortly before 9 p.m. on Thursday, Princeton Police reported. @PrincetonBlackBear responded on Twitter, "Guess who's coming to dinner?"

A black bear was spotted in a backyard of Woods Edge housing development on Thursday morning, according to Patch reader Gabrielle Pontoriero said. 

"The bear was in my backyard, sniffed our grill, crossed Rutgers Lane and walked to the other backyards along the Cherry Valley corridor,' she said. "It was definitely a first for me..."

The devleopment is just a stone's throw from the Princeton border. 

Princeton Police and the Princeton Animal Control Officer have been notified about the nearby bear sighting.

Bear sightings shouldn't be a surprise this time of year, as the creatures have emerged form their winter hibernation and are searching from food and mates. 

On Monday, a bear was spotted at Village Elementary School in Montgomery and another sighting was reported in Ewing. 

Last summer, Princeton was enthralled with a black bear that rumbled through town, spotted at the Princeton Cemetery, in backyards, at PNC bank in the Princeton Shopping Center, and even along Nassau Street downtown. 

State officials say black bears passing through a residential neighborhood
shouldn't be considered a problem, but offer the following times to minimize conflicts: 

• Do not feed bears.
• Use certified bear-resistant garbage containers if possible. Otherwise, store all garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and place them along the inside walls of your garage or other secure area.
• Wash garbage containers frequently with a disinfectant solution to remove odors. Put out garbage on collection day, not the night before.
• Avoid feeding birds when bears are active. If you choose to feed birds, do so during the day and bring feeders indoors at night.
• Suspend birdfeeders from a free-hanging wire, making sure they are at least 10 feet off the ground. Clean up spilled seeds and shells daily.
• Immediately remove all uneaten food and food bowls used by pets fed outdoors.
• Clean outdoor grills and utensils to remove food and grease residue to minimize odors. Store grills securely.
• Do not place meat or any sweet foods in compost piles.
• Remove fruit or nuts that fall from trees in your yard.
• Properly installed electric fencing is an effective way of protecting crops, beehives and livestock.
• If you encounter a bear remain calm and do not run. Make sure the bear has an escape route. Avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly and speak with a low, assertive voice.

If you see a bear, please report it to Princeton Police at 609-921-2100.