the staff of the Ridgewood blog
West Milford, NJ – In a scene straight out of a cartoon, a black bear in West Milford shocked residents this weekend by casually opening a car door before wandering over to a nearby deck to lounge. The encounter, captured on video by News12 New Jersey, serves as yet another reminder for Garden State residents to keep their vehicles — and homes — securely locked.
The footage shows the bear approaching a parked car, deftly pulling open the driver’s door, and then losing interest. Moments later, it made itself at home on the deck of the residence.
New Jerseyans are no strangers to bear sightings in their neighborhoods, but this bruin’s clever behavior is a reminder that bears are resourceful — and potentially dangerous.
A Sobering Reminder About Bear Safety
While this incident may seem amusing, bear encounters can turn deadly. In 2014, a Rutgers University student tragically lost his life after photographing a black bear in West Milford — the first recorded fatal black bear attack in New Jersey in 150 years.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish and Wildlife Division advises residents to follow these guidelines when encountering bears:
DON’T:
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Feed bears.
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Approach bears — especially when they’re feeding.
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Run away (this can trigger a chase).
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Make direct eye contact.
DO:
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Stay calm and back away slowly.
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Make your presence known by speaking loudly or making noise.
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Appear larger by waving your arms or holding a jacket overhead.
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Keep bears an escape route.
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If attacked, fight back and aim for the snout or eyes.
Residents should also create a family “Bear Safety Plan” that includes escape routes, use of whistles or air horns, and knowing how to report sightings.
Lock Your Doors — Cars Included
This latest sighting underscores the importance of locking car doors, as bears can — and will — open them in search of food. For more safety tips and to report nuisance bears, visit the NJDEP’s official website or call their 24-hour hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).
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