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With warm spring temperatures returning to New Jersey, residents may soon notice more black bears wandering through neighborhoods. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is urging people across the state to secure garbage, pet food, and other possible food sources to help prevent bear encounters.
According to the DEP, black bears have been sighted in all 21 New Jersey counties, though they are mostly found in the northwest part of the state. Recent weeks have seen noticeable bear activity in places like Central and South Jersey, which are outside of the animals' usual territory. Dave Golden, DEP Assistant Commissioner, explained that bears can smell food from over two miles away, so keeping garbage locked up is one of the best ways to avoid attracting them.
The DEP reminds everyone that it is illegal to intentionally feed black bears in New Jersey, with fines up to $1,000. However, most problems come from unintentional feeding—like leaving unsecured trash, pet food, or dirty barbecue grills outside. "Black bear sightings and incidents across the state, in general, have declined for the past few years, especially as we reduce the number of bears overall and people better understand how to coexist with them," said Dave Chanda, director of the State Division of Fish and Wildlife. He added, "We urge people to be cautious when encountering bears, but there is no need for alarm." The DEP advisory also notes that a bear passing through a residential area is not necessarily a threat if it is acting normally.
To minimize the likelihood of conflicts with bears, residents are encouraged to secure trash cans, remove bird feeders, and clean barbecue grills. In areas where bears are common, electric fencing for livestock and beehives is recommended.
Looking ahead, the DEP continues to monitor bear activity and reminds residents to report unusual or threatening bear behavior. The agency offers more tips for safely coexisting with black bears on its website.