Black Bear Sighted Near Berkeley Heights Elementary School

A Black Bear was spotted around 2 p.m. yesterday near the , located at 446 Snyder Avenue, which caused a degree of concern.

The Board of Education Honeywell Alert system was utilized to notify all parents to the presence of this animal, said Police Chief Michael P. Mathis in a written statement.

At no time did the bear impose any immediate threat and it had moved away from the area prior to student dismissal, Mathis stated. Police officers monitored its movements until it disappeared into a wooded area near Watchung Way around 4:30 p.m.

Township residents are encouraged to contact the at (908) 464-1111 whenever a bear is observed along a roadway or in a residential area.

The Department’s protocol is to dispatch police officers to each report of a bear sighting, Mathis explained, and then to take the level of action that is most appropriate to the situation.

Generally, the animals are monitored and the responding officers alert individuals, who are outdoors, within the vicinity, until the animal has moved along.

Mathis noted that most black bears will continue on their way if left unbothered. In the highly unusual event that a bear shows aggressive tendencies and poses an immediate danger to persons or domesticated animals, then police officers are authorized to dispose of it.

An excellent source of information on becoming “Bear Aware” is the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife’s website, www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearinfo.htm, Mathis said. This website offers many methods and suggestions on the topics of living within black bear areas, and how to react when encountering a bear.