Shortly after the recent fatal mauling of a 22-year-old Rutgers student by a black bear in New Jersey’s 572-acre Apshawa Nature Preserve, the Princeton Police Department has drawn attention to guidelines from the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Princeton residents can access numerous safety tips through he municipal website at princetonnj.gov. “Comprehensive information on bear safety is available for home owners as well as hikers,” said Lt. Robert Currier, Friday.

It is hoped that the information will inform Princeton residents about the best ways to maintain safety for their homes and for themselves if they ever come into contact with a black bear.

Edison resident Darsh Patel was with four friends when they encountered the bear. The friends bolted in separate directions and it was some time before Mr. Patel’s body was discovered by members of a volunteer search and rescue unit. The Rutgers student had sustained multiple bites and claw wounds.

According to police reports of the incident, rescuers told police that the bear had been circling Mr. Patel’s body and was behaving aggressively toward them. They had tried to scare off the animal by creating loud noises for some 30 minutes. A West Milford police officer killed the animal with a shotgun. The bear was found to be a 299-pound male.

According to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife (“Know the Bear Facts: Black Bears in New Jersey Bear Safety Tips) black bears “by nature tend to be wary of humans and avoid people.”

However, the directive goes on, “if you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping, follow these common-sense safety tips: Never feed or approach a bear; remain calm; make the bear aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises; make sure the bear has an escape route; If a bear enters your home, provide it with an escape route by propping all doors open; avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as a challenge, and never run from a bear. Instead, slowly back away.”

Specific instructions include: “scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an airhorn; make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms; and if you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.”

“The bear may utter a series of huffs, make popping jaw sounds by snapping its jaws and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. It is usually not a threatening behavior. Black bears will sometimes “bluff charge” when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, then slowly back away. Black bear attacks are extremely rare.”

The Division of Fish and Wildlife has a policy of fostering coexistence between people and bears; the most common bear problem in New Jersey is black bears getting into their garbage.

Last year, Town Topics reported on several black bear sightings in Princeton. In June, one was tranquilized and relocated from the campus of The College of New Jersey by personnel from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife to the Alexauken Creek Wildlife Management Area in northeast Hunterdon County, the nearest Wildlife Management Area.

Black bears are the largest land mammal in New Jersey. They are an integral part of the state’s natural heritage and a vital component of healthy ecosystems. Since the 1980s the Garden State’s black bear population has been increasing and expanding its range both southward and eastward from the forested areas of northwestern New Jersey. Within the most densely populated state in the nation, black bears are thriving and there are now confirmed bear sightings in all 21 of New Jersey’s counties.

Bear safety tips are listed on the NJDWM website and also to the state website: www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bearfacts.

And remember, Never feed bears! It’s illegal in New Jersey, and it’s dangerous. Anyone who feeds bears could face a penalty of up to $1,000 for each offense.

If a bear is spotted, immediately call the local police and/or report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877 WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).