Bear Sighted in Northern End of Lawrence Township

Editor's Note: The following advisory was issued today (Thursday, May 17) by the Lawrence Township Health Department. After this advisory was written, a third bear sighting was reported about 11:30 a.m. today on the Bristol-Myers Squibb campus off Route 206, according to township officials.

The Lawrence Township Health Department was notified of two incidents of a bear sighting in the past few days. Both sightings were in the vicinity of the intersection of Carter Road and Route 206 (Lawrence Road).

This notification is being issued to make residents aware of these sightings and remind residents to take precautions as recommended by the State Division of Fish and Wildlife. Please see the attached link for information regarding black bears and measures to take to avoid problems with them.

Residents are reminded of the following precautions if a black bear is sighted:

• If you encounter a 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.
• Report bear damage, nuisance behavior or aggressive bears to the Wildlife Control Unit of the D.E.P.’s Division of Fish and Wildlife at (908) 735-8793. During evenings and weekends, residents should call the local police or the NJDEP hotline at (877)WARN DEP.

To learn more about black bears visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearinfo.htm or view this fact sheet.