A black bear was spotted Thursday in the Coventry area of Livingston, prompting the police department to issue safety guidance for residents across the township.
The Livingston Police Department said in a Facebook post Thursday, July 30, that the bear appears to be behaving normally and there is no need for alarm. The department asked residents not to approach the animal.
The sighting is the latest in a string of bear encounters across Essex County this spring and summer. As we reported July 24, Millburn issued its own bear safety advisory after neighborhood sightings earlier in July.
What Livingston residents should do
Under a policy set by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Livingston police monitor a bear's movement through continued calls from residents rather than immediately responding, according to the Township of Livingston. Officers will intervene only if the bear poses a danger to the public, becomes trapped in a tree, is injured, or is spotted near a school in session.
Residents who see the bear should call the Livingston PD non-emergency line at 973-992-3000. To report nuisance or damaging bear behavior, call the NJDEP's 24-hour hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).
NJ Fish and Wildlife advises residents to secure trash in containers with tight-fitting lids stored in a shed or garage, remove pet food from decks, take down easy-to-reach bird feeders, clean food residue from grills, and pick up fallen fruit or nuts. It is illegal in New Jersey to intentionally feed bears.
If you encounter a bear standing its ground: remain calm, do not run, avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly, and speak in a low, assertive voice. Make sure the bear has an escape route.
Bear activity across Essex County
The Coventry sighting follows several Essex County encounters this year, Patch reported. A bear was spotted at Mills Reservation in late April. On June 2, one roamed through Cedar Grove backyards before moving into Mills Reservation near Reservoir Drive. A bear walked through Bloomfield's Watsessing Park on June 14.
The most dramatic incident came June 22, when a black bear wandered onto the grounds of Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange around noon, ending up on the wrong side of the cage. County officials temporarily closed the zoo, and staff and visitors sheltered in place.
Black bear mating season in New Jersey runs from late May through August and peaks in June and July, according to the NJDEP. Bears are most active shortly before sunrise and after sunset but can appear during the day, especially when unsecured garbage is available.
