For the second time this week, a black bear was spotted in South Jersey, this time in Burlington County.
Medford Township Police told NBC10 they were called to the Highbridge development at 5:41 p.m. on Thursday after residents spotted the bear.
Officers found it wandering in the area of Poleridge Parke, Lower Passage and Harwood Way. The bear got into some trash and bird feeders but caused no other problems, according to police.
Officers said it did not display any aggressive behavior and after about 45 minutes, it wandered back into the forest area that abuts Wharton State Forest.
Police are warning residents to stay on alert.
The New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife offers these bear safety tips:
- Never feed or approach a bear
- Remain calm if you encounter a bear
- Make the bear aware of your presence by making noise
- 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 and never run from a bear, instead slowly back away
- To scare the bear away make loud noises and make yourself look bigger by waving your arms
- The bear may utter a series of huffs, make snapping sounds with its jaw or swat the ground, these are signs you're too close and should slowly back away
- If the 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's usually not a threatening behavior
- Black bear attacks are extremely rare, if a black bear does attack, fight back
- Report black bear sightings to DEP's 24-hour hotline, 1-877-927-6337
A bear was spotted in Waterford Township, Camden County on Wednesday and forced Thomas Richards Elementary School into lock down. There's no confirmation this is the same bear spotted in Medford Township.
