Black Bear Refused To Leave Morris Plains Neighborhood, Police Say

MORRIS PLAINS, NJ— A black bear was spotted near the Forrest Court area in Morris Plains on Thursday, Morris Plains Police said. Police were unable to determine if the bear was injured or not.

The bear was determined to stay where it was, ignoring police efforts to get him to leave. "The bear was very content eating bird seed...," Morris Plains Police said in a statement.

New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife were called to trap the bear and relocate it, but he returned to the woods on his own.

As spring goes into full gear, more bears will come out of hibernation and look for food, police said. Residents should keep garbage and bird feeders inside at night, and make sure there is no food left outside the home to attract bears.

Image via Morguefile