5 Things About Bears

New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife expert Michele Smith will be speaking in Franklin Lakes tonight to educate residents about the growing bear population affecting New Jersey. The lecture plus Q & A session will take place at 7 p.m. July 12 in the Council Chambers of Franklin Lakes Borough Hall. Here are 5 Things to know about bears:

1. Do not feed the bears. Black bears learn very quickly and those that come to associate food with people may become aggressive, and thereby dangerous.

2. Take down bird feeders in the summer months. If you feed cats or dogs outside, only do so during the day, and take the food and containers inside at night. 

3. Store your garbage in airtight containers, in an area away from doors to the garage or basement. Wash trash containers weekly with a disinfectant solution to remove food odors.

4. If you see a bear, remain calm and keep your distance. Alert the bear to your presence by clapping or talking. If the bear does not leave, slowly back away, avoiding eye-contact. From a distance, bang pots or use an air horn to scare the bear away. 

5. If a bear becomes a constant nuisance or is responsible for continued damage problems, call the NJ Department of Environmental Protection hotline at 877-WARN DEP (877-927-6337).