Bear Spotted in Middletown

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A black bear was spotted in the River Plaza section of Middletown Township last evening, near Nutswamp Road and the federal road connecting Naval Weapons Station Earle’s Leonardo and Colts Neck facilities, which is not far from Middletown High School South.

Lt. Paul Bailey of the Middletown Police Department confirmed reports of the bear sighting and said that Animal Control and The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife have been notified. Bailey said that as of noon on Friday, no Middletown Police Officers have seen the bear.

“Don’t approach the bear, feed it or give it a picnic basket,” Bailey said in a warning to residents. “If you see the bear, call the police. Try it keep it in your line of sight, but do not approach or engage the animal.”

Middletown Township released the following guidelines for dealing with bears:

DO NOT APPROACH A BEAR IF YOU SEE ONE. Call 911 immediately to report the sighting.

Keep all garbage in sealed cans, and remove all food left out for pets.

Keep a watch on your children and pets if they are outside.

Bear Safety Tips from the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife

Black bears by nature tend to be wary of people. However, if you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping, follow these common-sense safety tips.

Never feed or approach a bear!
Remain calm if you encounter a bear. Do not run from it.
Make the bear aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises.
Make sure the bear has an escape route.
If a bear enters your home, provide it with an escape route by propping all doors open.
Avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as a challenge. Never run from a bear. Instead, slowly back away.
To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an airhorn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.
The bear may utter a series of huffs, make popping jaw sounds by snapping its jaws and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away, avoid direct eye contact and do not run.
If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. It is usually not a threatening behavior.
Black bears will sometimes “bluff charge” when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, then slowly back away and do not run.
If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area.
Report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).
Families who live in areas frequented by black bears should have a “Bear Plan” in place for children, with an escape route and planned use of whistles and air horns.
Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear does attack, fight back!