As the result of an increasing black bear population in northern New Jersey, the Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife reported that the number of black bear complaint calls received between January and September 1999 more than doubled from the number received during the same period last year. Unfortunately, many residents of 'bear country' who are experiencing property damage and other nuisance behaviors first-hand are regarding this growing population as a liability rather than an asset. Our goal is to educate New Jerseyans on successfully sharing their space with these creatures and maintaining their presence as a valuable part of the Garden State.
Complaints range in severity from damage to trash containers to pet and livestock kills.
In addition, more than 30 vehicle strikes occurred. Conflicts between bears and people are rising as a result of increasing bear numbers and encroachment on bear habitat by residential development. Since January, the Division's Wildlife Control Unit has captured 46 problem bears. Black bears that cause property damage or other problems are captured, conspicuously tagged and removed from the complaint site. As they are released, the bears receive intense aversive conditioning to modify their behavior, including pepper spray, rubber bullets and pyrotechnics designed to frighten the animals.