Be Bear Aware! Important Information and Tips From the Mendham Township Police Department Black Bears and Mendham Township Due to an increase in bear sightings within the township in the past week, the Mendham Township Police Department would like our residents to please be aware of the following information regarding the bear population in Mendham Township. Mendham Township is home to approx. 8-12 black bears including 2 new cubs over in the Brookside area which has been a yearly occurrence with different mothers. Why the exact number is not known. They reside in all corners of the township, and if you live here long enough, there is a good chance you will encounter one. No need to be alarmed however, they have about as much interest in seeing you as you do in seeing them. Bears are foragers and can travel 10 square miles easily in a day. This is why the majority of bear sightings are brief. Most bears will continue about their business and move along quickly. This is normal, healthy bear behavior. There are a number of things residents can do to reduce the likelihood of having a bear encounter at their residence. Store all garbage in a certified bear resistant garbage container Keep garbage containers inside your garage, secured shed or garbage container Clean your garbage containers on a regular basis with disinfectant and a hose Place garbage out for pickup as close to your scheduled pick up time as possible Keep meats or sweet foods out of compost piles DO NOT FEED THE BEARS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES Bird feeders are a huge attraction for bears. If you want to maintain one, please have it on a line suspended at least 10 feet above the ground. Keep BBQ grills and the area clean and free of food debris and residue If you have a deck that is lower to the ground (only 2-4 feet of clearance), place a trellis work or fencing around the access to underneath your deck, especially in the fall when bears are looking for a home for the winter. We have had a number of bears den under decks without the residents knowing until later in the winter. Bears will typically den starting in late November and rise in early spring. Bears do not “hibernate” but rather enter a dormant state and may awake on warmer winter days and wander. Bear dens can be in small caves, hollowed out trees or root systems or under rock ledges. If you come across a bear den, vacate the area as quickly and quietly as possible.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 19:19:05 +0000
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