Issued advisory from The County of Mercer and the Mercer County Park Commission:

The County of Mercer and the Mercer County Park Commission was notified of a recent bear sighting in Lawrence Township in the area of Mercer Meadows Park between Cold Soil and Keefe Roads. This notification is being issued to make residents aware of this bear sighting and to remind residents to take precautions as recommended by the State Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Residents are reminded of the following precautions if a black bear is sighted:

  • If you encounter a bear, remain calm and do not run. Make sure the bear has an escape route. Avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly and speak with a low assertive voice.
  • Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear should attack, fight back. Do not play dead.
  • Report bear damage, nuisance behavior or aggressive bears to the Wildlife Control Unit of the NJ D.E.P., Division of Fish and Wildlife at (908) 735-8793. During evenings and weekends, residents should call the local police or the NJDEP hotline at (877) WARN DEP.

To learn more about New Jersey’s black bears, visit Fish and Wildlife Website: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ or click using the following link: Bear Information

In Case of an Emergency

Mercer Meadows Rangers: 609-303-0705

Mercer County Sheriff: 609-989-6111

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