Black Bear In Union Beach Killed: Authorities (Updated)

UNION BEACH, NJ — (Updated, 9:45 a.m.) Union Beach police killed a large black bear early Sunday morning following a late-night notification about the presence of the bear in the Edmunds Avenue area of the borough.

In a post on Facebook at 1:39 a.m., the department wrote: "It is with sincere regret that we announce the animal had to be put down. Subsequent to assessing the situation with several variables involved, the decision was made to prevent an even more grave situation from occurring. New Jersey State Fish and Game will secure and remove the animal. This is not the ideal outcome for us, however, as we know — human life takes precedent over animal life. Public safety will always be our number one priority. We appreciate your understanding."

The bear, estimated at 400 pounds, was in a tree at a home on Edmunds Avenue, according to a report by the Asbury Park Press.

In the initial notification shortly after 10 p.m., police had warned residents to keep all pets indoors and to stay indoors as well while the bear was in the area.

The posting that the bear had been put down sparked angry criticism from those who wanted to see the bear tranquilized and moved, as well as praise from other residents.

It was unclear whether the bear was the same one seen Thursday night in Middletown in the area of Nut Swamp Road. The state Division of Fish and Wildlife responded and was monitoring the situation and Middletown police increased patrols in the area, the department said.

A smaller black bear, weighing roughly 200 to 250 pounds, climbed a tree near a home in Manchester Township last Sunday night. Officers using sirens, air horns and water hoses were able to move the bear, which was not aggressive, to the wooded area behind Holly Oaks along the Jackson and Toms River border, police said.

The state Department of Environmental Protection offers the following tips if you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping:

• Do not feed bears!
• Never feed or approach a bear!
• Remain calm if you encounter a bear. Do not run from it.
• Make the bear aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises.
• Make sure the bear has an escape route.
• If a bear enters your home, provide it with an escape route by propping all doors open.
• Avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as a challenge. Never run from a bear. Instead, slowly back away.
• To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an airhorn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.
• The bear may utter a series of huffs, make popping jaw sounds by snapping its jaws and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away, avoid direct eye contact and do not run.
• If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. It is usually not a threatening behavior.
• Black bears will sometimes "bluff charge" when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, then slowly back away and do not run.
• If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area.
• Report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to the DEP's 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).
• Families who live in areas frequented by black bears should have a "Bear Plan" in place for children, with an escape route and planned use of whistles and air horns.
• Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear does attack, fight back!

Patch file photo of a bear in Woodbridge, NJ in summer 2016.