ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS Police have issued warnings about “multiple black bear sightings’’ in the borough, leading to the closure of Lenape Woods and Mount Mitchell Park.
“There have been multiple black bear sightings in the area of Upper East Highland Avenue and Lenape Woods,’’ police said in a post on its Facebook page Friday . “Please stay out of the woods and keep a look out for sightings.’’
Police are advising anyone who does not live in the immediate area to stay away and those who do to remain vigilant.
Anyone who may encounter the bear should not confront it and should use “extreme caution,” police advise.
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In updates on Facebook Friday, police said they have not yet located the bear and have been in contact with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Personnel with Fish and Wildlife “believe the bear will move on from Atlantic Highlands soon,” police said.
Anyone spotting the bear should call Fish and Wildlife 877-927-6337. Meanwhile, anyone with questions about bear can call 908-735-6939.
“Fish and Wildlife will not respond to remove the bear from our location unless it gets into a fixed position such as a tree or an enclosure,’’ borough police said on Facebook. “They advised that as long as it has avenues of escape, they will not come to remove the bear. We will continue to monitor this situation and as always please call the Atlantic Highlands Police Department if it is an emergency.’’
Borough police can be reached at 732-291-1212.
Kathleen Hopkins, a reporter in New Jersey since 1985, covers crime, court cases, legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties. Contact her at [email protected].
