Camden County Bear Sighting Comes After 2-Year Decline
By Robin Culverwell
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - This week's numerous sightings of at least one black bear in Waterford Township, Camden County comes despite a drastic decline in bear sightings across the Garden State.
The drop in sightings and nuisance complaints comes two years into New Jersey's controversial bear hunt. Tell that to the bear wandering around Atco, likely a member of a family of bears living in the woods near Atco Raceway.
"As the number of bears declines, we believe there's more room in natural habitat for the bears. With less pressure for the new cubs and males," says Larry Ragonese, Press Director for New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection.
READ: Black Bear Spotted In Camden County
Those males he's referring to are the two-year-olds sent packing by Mama Bear after she's equipped them with life skills.
And while most of New Jersey's bear population resides in the northwest corner of the state, males do wander for miles in search of food and a place to call home.
