Black Bear Cub Sighted in Chatham Yard

You know it's summer in Chatham Township when bear sightings hit the news once again.

A Glenmere Drive family was treated to a surprise Tuesday when a black bear cub took a stroll through their backyard.

Brian Reilly, the homeowner, said his son Matt took a photo of the cub while he called the Chatham Township Police, who responded immediately, he said.

"They hit their siren once and the bear proceeded to scurry up towards Runnymede [Road]," Reilly said. 

Black bears are relatively safe, police told Reilly. "They informed us that black bears do not attack and are likely more afraid of us than we are of them."

This is the sixth bear sighting in Chatham Township since June 1, according to Lt. Thomas Miller of the township's Police Department. Two sightings were reported Tuesday, "presumably the same bear in the same area," Miller said.

Have you had a bear sighting in your yard? Let us know!