Bear Activity Around Chatham: Learn More At Local Presentation

CHATHAM, NJ — In 2022, the number of bear sightings in New Jersey tripled, and Chatham felt the effects with about a dozen bear sightings in the community.

In the month of October alone, there were six bear sightings within Chatham Township.

The Chatham Township and Borough environmental commissions are co-sponsoring the informational event to help the community better understand the role that black bears play in New Jersey's natural ecosystem.

On Feb. 9, this interactive, multimedia presentation will help participants better understand black bear history, adaptations, life cycle, diet, and needs through touchable artifacts, a life-sized bear mount and a fun simulation activity.

The presentation will be held at the Lundt Room in the Chatham Library and is set to begin at 7 p.m., officials said. The "Bear aware program" is co-sponsored by the Chatham Township and Borough environmental commissions.

In response to an increase in bear sightings across the state, Gov. Phil Murphy reversed his previous statement calling for the end of the New Jersey bear hunt. The hunting season was first held from Dec. 6 to 10, then from Dec. 14 to 17.

During that hunting season, 114 bears were killed, with 15 of them killed in Morris County, according to officials. According to the Department of Environmental Protection, this represents a 7 percent harvest rate.

The latest monthly reports from the Department of Environmental Protection show that encounters between black bears and humans have continued to increase, as evidenced by calls to the department.

According to the latest study, incident reports in Morris County increased by 276 percent between Jan. 1 and Dec. 21.

While none of the spotted bears have posed a threat to any residents, it is important to understand how to behave when confronted with a bear, as they can be dangerous in rare situations.

Black bears, by nature, tend to be wary of people, but here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:

• Do not feed bears.
• Never feed or approach a bear.
• Remain calm if you encounter a bear. Do not run from it.