Photos Of Union Beach Bear Protest

HAZLET, NJ — This was the crowd that turned out Thursday evening at Poole Avenue and Rt. 36 in Hazlet, to protest the killing of a large black bear found in Union Beach a week ago.

The protest was held at 7 p.m. Thursday and was organized by a group called the Animal Protection League of New Jersey. The group said they have been in conversation with Union Beach’s Acting Chief of Police, Michael Woodrow, after the incident, although they did not specify what they discussed.

The group appeared to be mainly angry at the state Division of Fish & Wildlife, and not Union Beach police.

"This should never have happened," said spokeswoman Janine Motta. "The New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife should have been on site to tranquilize and relocate the bear to the north Jersey forests."