Bear Spotted In Multiple Places In North Jersey – Even On A Roof

KEARNY, NJ — Black bears really are all over New Jersey: A black bear was spotted this weekend roaming through urban Hudson County, of all places — the animal was seen in Kearny, on the roof of a building in Harrison and near the Newark Red Bulls stadium, according to Harrison police.

And the bear was even seen on a roof.

The bear was first seen at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, in the swampy Meadowlands area near the Kearny WalMart and the Wawa, close to the Harrison and Kearny border.

A few hours later, around 10:30 p.m., residents notified the Harrison Police department that a bear was seen around the Red Bulls soccer arena in Harrison.

Police were dispatched to the area, but were unable to locate and confirm the bear sighting.

There were no further sightings until 3:30 a.m. Sunday, when Harrison police got a 911 call that a bear was seen on the roof of a building. Harrison units responded to 1 Cleveland Ave in Harrison, where officers confirmed the bear was indeed on the roof.

To help get the bear off the roof, Port Authority police were called in, but before they could get there, the bear climbed down to street level and ran off towards the Passaic River, said Det. Lt. Charles Schimpf of Harrison police. Harrison units made their way to the river's edge but were unable to locate the bear. There have been no additional sightings of the bear at this time.

Black bears are a familiar site in western New Jersey and have been seen frequently in neighboring Essex and Passaic counties, even though parts of them are as densely populated as Hudson County. Gov. Murphy just outlawed New Jersey's bear hunt, deciding last week that 2020's hunt would be the last.

The Harrison Police is advising residents to be aware of their surroundings and to contact the Harrison Police department if you encounter or observe the bear. Their number is 973-483-4100.

Gov. Phil Murphy: 2020 Bear Hunt May Be NJ's Last (Oct. 5)

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