Get used to the sight of bears in your neighborhood if you live in the Northeast., U.S. Fish and Wildlife experts warn.
John McDonald Jr., a wildlife specialist for the federal agency says bear populations are at or near record levels in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Bears are counted by the number of sightings that are reported as well as the number of bears that are tagged.
“Breeding season is from May to early July,” said McDonald, “and bears are in search of mates, increasing their movements in neighborhoods. That’s why people are more likely to see them cross roads and to go into backyards.
One way of controlling bear populations is for states to authorize bear hunts. New York has an annual bear hunt and New Jersey has had sporadic hunts in the past decade, though not without controversy, and Connecticut does not have hunt.
Angie Metler, a member of New Jersey’s Animal Rights Alliance, says killing bears is not the only answer, especially when they are so easily scared away.
“All you have to do is stomp your feet or clap your hands,” Metler said, “or say Boo, and then they run away.”
While we were interviewing Metler outside her Highland Lakes, New Jersey home, a black bear started walking towards us from the woods.
“It’s a bear,” I said, “Oh my God!” Metler simply said, “Great, now you’ll get to see one.”
As the bear slowly approached us, Metler ran towards it, and the bear stopped in its tracks. Then Metler started clapping loudly, and the bear turned around and ran away.
“That’s it,” Metler said, “They don’t want any contact.”
Not far from Highland Lakes is the town of Vernon, New Jersey. There I met a family, the Fabelas, who saw four bears on a recent morning.
“There was a mother bear,” said Danielle Fabela, “and her three cubs, they were in the tree but when the mother gave them the signal, they followed her to the ground.”
Bear sightings have become so frequent in her neighborhood, that they built a fence around their yard, just as a precaution because they have two small children.
“I think they are so cute. As long as we don’t get too close and respect their space, I’m fine living alongside them.”
