Large Bear Spotted In Mendham Front Yard

MENDHAM, NJ – A large bear "just moseying along" was spotted in a Mendham woman's front yard Friday afternoon.

Kim York Mardis spotted the bear in her front yard around 12:45, and said the bear looked like it was just wandering through. Other Bockoven Road residents said on a neighborhood Facebook group they'd also seen the bear, which didn't appear to be looking for food.

Although bear sightings can be fun photo opportunities, it's important to remember how to be safe around the creatures. As bear season ramps up, the Division of Fish and Wildlife shared safety tips for bear encounters:

• Remain calm. Do not run!
• Make the bear aware of your presence by making noise. Leave an escape route for the bear. If the bear does not leave, slowly back away.
• If the bear approaches, stand your ground and be assertive. Make yourself look big by waving your arms. Stay together as a group. Toss rocks or sticks.
• If a black bear attacks, fight back! Do not play dead!
• Never feed a bear. It is Dangerous and Illegal. Fed bears can become habituated and may need to be killed to protect public safety.

Residents can report aggressive bears to local police stations, and DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife at 1-(877)-WARN-DEP

Image via Kim York Mardis, used with permission

See a bear in your area? Send a picture to Mendham-Chester@Patch.com