Black Bears Spotted In 3 Bergen County Towns: See Video

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Officials in three Bergen County towns told residents Tuesday and Wednesday that a black bear was moving through the area, and one mayor posted video (see below).

And while officials noted that most bears will leave people alone, they can still be dangerous.

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"A black bear has been observed on the west side of town this morning," said Tenafly police Wednesday (see full letter below). "The bear was observed by a resident behind their home, and by all accounts, the bear was acting normally — doing 'bear things.' That being said, while most black bears are wary of people ... it is important to remember that they are wild animals."

In the last two weeks, bears have been noticed throughout the county as they emerge in warmer weather.

Tuesday, morning, Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes posted a video (see below) of a bear ambling through yards in town, and he said he had notified schools. Then, late Tuesday night, Teaneck police said a bear had been spotted near the Teaneck armory.

"We are aware of a black bear in the area of the Teaneck Armory," police noted after 11 p.m. "We will continue to monitor it as it travels through Teaneck. Please do not approach or disturb it as it is natural wildlife for our area."

Other bears have been spotted recently in Cresskill and Dumont. READ MORE: Black Bears Spotted In Bergen County Towns

Bears Have Killed In NJ

Black bears usually stay away from humans, experts say, but have killed people and pets in New Jersey.

As recently as May 2024, a bear killed a Chihuahua and injured another dog in Sparta.

In 2020, a black bear attacked an 82-year-old man in his garage in West Milford. The bear was euthanized.

In 2014, a black bear killed a Rutgers University student at a nature preserve in New Jersey.

And in 2002, a bear took a baby girl from her stroller in the Catskills and killed her.

Be 'Bear Aware'

Last year, Mahwah High School students decided to raise awareness about how to react when a bear appears, trying to educate children and reduce the risks. The students brought their book, "The Adventures of Bergen the Bear," to local schools.

The state's "Bear Bear Aware" site suggests that it's best to avoid leaving food out. If you see a bear, make noise to scare it away. If attacked, don't "play dead"; instead, fight back.

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, black bears are now found in all the state’s 21 counties. To read more about what to do and who to call if you see a bear, click here.