Bear Seen on Middlesex/Piscataway Border Thursday

Piscataway, NJ - A black bear was spotted Thursday afternoon on the Middlesex/Piscataway border, Middlesex borough police report.

The bear was seen at around 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Last week, a black bear was seen for two days roaming in the Iselin section of Woodbridge and on Sunday, a black bear sitting in a South Brunswick driveway, eating birdseed, was scared off by a cat. That makes three bear sightings in one week in Middlesex County.

Black bears by nature tend to be wary of humans and avoid people. However, Middlesex Police shared these tips if you see a bear:

• Never feed or approach a bear!
• Remain calm.
• Make the bear aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises.
• Make sure the bear has an escape route.
• Avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as a challenge. Never run from a bear. Instead, slowly back away.
• To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an airhorn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.
• The bear may utter a series of huffs, make popping jaw sounds by snapping its jaws and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away, avoid direct eye contact and do not run.
• If a 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 is usually not a threatening behavior.
• Black bears will sometimes “bluff charge” when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, then slowly back away. Do not run.
• Immediately notify the DEP's 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337)