Bear Trapped in Township Yard Tuesday

Chatham Township Police said that a resident of 206 Longwood Ave. reported that a bear was "trapped" in the backyard Tuesday afternoon.

According to Lt. Steven Hennelly, the bear was gone when police arrived at the residence. Further reports came in stating the bear was on Lafayette Avenue heading toward Colony Pool.

Multiple residents of the Chathams reported seeing the bear throughout the day.

"It was first reported by a Chatham Borough resident on Washington Avenue," Hennelly said. The bear then appears to have walked south into Chatham Township and toward the pool. An announcement was made at Colony Pool, which was open at the time.

The Chatham Borough and Chatham Township Police Departments have not received any reports of bear sightings since Tuesday, and Hennelly speculated that the animal "has since flown the coop."

This is the.

Brian McNany, the director of Chatham Recreation, was not immediately available for comment.

on staying safe when you see a bear.