Public Service Announcement If you live in Northern New Jersey there is a very good chance you have seen a Black Bear. Is this something to be concerned about? That depends on you and your neighbors behavior toward the bears. Here is what you need to know about bears. 1) The bear population in NJ is somewhere around 3,000. Most live in Northern New Jersey. 2) Black bears can run up to 35 mph (record setting human sprinters have reached speeds up to 27mph). It is safe to say you cannot run away from a bear. 3) Bears are great swimmers. A lot better than we are. 4) Bears are excellent climbers. They climb trees for food and for protection when they get scared. They can also climb a lot faster than you can. 5) Bears eat plants, fruits, insects, small and mid-sized mammals and dead animals. 6) Bears give birth every other year to an average of 1-4 cubs. 3 being the average in northern NJ. 7) Male bears weigh between 400-600 lbs. Females average around 185 lbs. 8) Bears are not true hibernators during the winter. In other words you may see a bear if we get a hot spell. 9) Bears start to become active in March. This is when you may see them at your garbage cans. They mate in June. This is when you may see them passing through your yard. The most bear sightings are from March until November. 10) Feeding bears in New Jersey is illegal. If people feed the bears they are hurting the bears in the long run. When people feed bears, the bears are no longer afraid of humans. When this happens the bear must be conditioned. HOW DO WE CO-EXIST WITH THE BEARS? · Never feed the bears. It is illegal and carries a $1,000.00 fine · Feeding dogs or cats outside should be done during the day. The food if any is left should be brought inside. · Garbage cans should be cleaned out and not stored with garbage in them behind a garage door or shed (A hungry 600lb bear could easily break in a door). · Feed birds by hanging the bird feeder with a wire at least 10 feet off of the ground. (bears are tall when they stand up). · Clean the grill after using it. · If you confront a bear back away slowly. Do not run nor stare the bear down. DO NOT play dead. Bears eat dead animals. · If a bear walks towards you as you are backing up be as big as you can by waving your arms and yelling. Look for a rock or stick to defend yourself. If attacked fight for you life by poking the bears eyes or striking the bears nose. · Do not get in between a female bear and its cubs.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 18:20:08 +0000
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