UPDATE: Several Bear Sightings Along Fairmount Avenue, Police Say

Chatham Township Police said Thursday afternoon that several residents called in bear sightings near Fairmount Avenue.

Police dispatched on car to the 500 block of Fairmount Avenue late Thursday morning, and later released a Nixie alert saying that several other sightings were reported.

The bear spotted Thursday morning was last seen running into the woods along Fairmount Avenue. A resident reported seeing the animal at about 11:40 a.m.

According to police, they will leave the bear alone unless it ventures into residential areas again and either destroys property or otherwise makes a nuisance. They urge residents to avoid the bears and call 911 if a bear endangers residents.

The spring months are when black bears are at their most active, 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.

Chatham Patch will update this story as further information becomes available.