NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – Authorities are on the trail of a New Jersey bear that has traded the woods for the burbs, with at least three sightings in the heart of Bergen County this week.
A black bear was first spotted Wednesday outside the Ikea on Ikea Drive, near the Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus.
Paramus Police described the bear as “non-aggressive,” but they urged people to not approach the animal and contact them if they see it.
The next sighting was at River Road and Route 4, near Fairleigh Dickinson University, in Teaneck later on Wednesday.
The bear may have traveled south along the Hackensack River or the railroad tracks to Bogota, where police said Thursday that it was seen near River Road and Elm Avenue.
Bob told WCBS 880 he heard the animal was dumpster diving for bagels in Bogota.
“It was up right here by Boxcar Bagel going through the dumpster, eating the bagels they throw out,” he said.
The bear keeps heading in the wrong direction into more densely populated areas.
Authorities said black bear attacks are extremely rare. However, residents should keep their distance and report any sightings so that state wildlife officials can find, tranquilize and relocate the animal.