[at-l] Bears in NJ

[johno@mail.monmouth.com (John O)]

<http://www.injersey.com/news/backstories.pl?id=407843&paper=0>
           10 bears slain so far this year in state 
Published in the Asbury Park Press 6/17/01 
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TRENTON -- Ten bears have been killed so far this year under New Jersey's
new procedures for dealing with nuisance bruins.
Eight of the bears were killed by officials from the Division of Fish, Game
and Wildlife. The other two were killed by a police officer in Sussex
County and a farmer in Warren County.
New Jersey has an estimated 1,100 bears, which tend to be more active as
their mating season peaks in June. The bear population is concentrated
mainly in the northwest part of the state.
Among the most recent incidents was one Thursday at the Trailblazer's Camp
at High Point State Park in Sussex County. A bear tore into a tent while
campers slept, state wildlife officials said.
Also that day, wildlife officials captured and removed bears from
neighborhoods in Randolph in Morris County, Dumont in Bergen County and
Vernon Township in Sussex County.
On Wednesday, a mother bear and her three cubs went foraging inside a
Vernon Township home.
Last year, the state backed away from the first planned hunt in 30 years.
Instead officials opted for a public awareness campaign and destroying any
bears that become nuisances.
State officials say the bears that tore into and entered the Vernon home
likely will have to destroyed if they are captured.
© copyright 2001 The Associated Press 
Published on June 17, 2001 
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