Two Bear Sightings Reported in Chatham

Chatham Township Police said Friday afternoon that they had received two more reports of bear sightings Friday morning.

One sighting was reported along River Road near the Chatham Township Fire station, and another bear was seen near the intersection of Fairmount Avenue and Tanglewood Lane.

Police said they responded to both reports, but both times the bear disappeared into the woods by the time police arrived.

This news comes after between the 500 and 800 blocks on Thursday. Every time police responded, the bears were not found.

Township police policty is to leave a bear alone unless it ventures into residential areas and either destroys property or poses a danger to humans.

Anyone endangered by a bear is urged to call 911, police said.

Black bears are most active in the spring months, according to the state DEP. They lose about half of their body weight during hibernation, and when they wake up they begin the process of  packing the weight back on.

for some bear safety tips, including protecting your property and staying safe if a bear attacks.