Black Bear Sighting in Lawrenceville

nosignbearThe Lawrence Township Health Department has been notified that a black bear was spotted in Lawrenceville  in the Carter Road and Van Kirk Road area.

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife advises that you take the following precautions if you see a black bear:

– Remain calm and do not run. Make sure the bear has an escape route. Avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly and speak with a low, assertive voice.

– Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear should attack, fight back. Do not play dead.

– Do not feed bears or leave out items they can eat. Secure your garbage cans.

– Report bear damage, nuisance behavior or aggressive bears to the Wildlife Control Unit of the NJ D.E.P., Division of Fish and Wildlife at (908) 735-8793.

– During evenings and weekends, call the local police or the NJDEP hotline at (877) WARN-DEP.