WEST ORANGE, NJ—Mayor Susan McCartney has issued a warning about recent bear sightings in West Orange, urging residents to stay vigilant. The alert follows an incident in the South Mountain Reservation where an aggressive bear was euthanized after it charged at police during a public safety operation.
This week, there have been reports of a black bear seen on Sunnyside Road, and possibly the same bear was spotted off Pleasant Valley Way on Cleveland Terrace. With warmer weather, bears are leaving their winter dens in search of food.
Mayor McCartney reminds residents to be aware of their surroundings and to follow safety guidelines issued by New Jersey Fish & Wildlife. These include removing potential food sources from properties to reduce the likelihood of bear encounters.