Black bear shot and killed after attacking goat in Passaic County
A bear was shot and killed by a property owner in Passaic County on Friday after the bear killed one of his goats, said a spokesperson for the state Department of Environmental Protection's Fish and Wildlife Division.
The spokesperson said a property owner in Ringwood reported that on Thursday, Sept. 5, an adult bear killed one of his goats.
The bear returned to the property on Friday and exhibited "aggressive behavior" as it tried to go to a barn, leading the property owner to shoot and kill the bear.
Fish and Wildlife conservation police officers investigated the incident and did not issue any violations, because the bear was exhibiting "Category One behavior." The DEP spokesperson said category one bears are those that "pose a threat to public safety and property."
Protecting property from black bear predation
New Jersey residents are no strangers to black bear encounters.
Proper garbage management, responsible pet ownership and strategic feeding of birds are common practices by homeowners around the state to avoid inviting New Jersey's largest land mammal onto their properties.
According to the DEP's Fish and Wildlife webpage, black bears are omnivorous, opportunistic feeders that will consume whatever food is available to them. They like a wide variety of foods such as fruits, nuts, small mammals and white-tailed deer carcasses.
If a bear enters a farmer's property, common here in the Garden State, it may be attracted to crops such as corn, as well as insects. In addition, black bears may attack livestock such as honeybees, chickens, rabbits, sheep and goats.
According to a 2020 article by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, livestock depredation by black bears varies regionally. The frequency of attacks can vary based on the size of both the livestock and the bear. Sick or injured bears as well as male bears over the age of four are more likely to prey on livestock.
Additionally, according to the USDA, once a depredation occurs it is likely to happen again.
To protect corn and grain crops, gardens, compost, apiaries and livestock from predation by black bears, Fish and Wildlife recommends the following:
Livestock pens, beehives, vegetable gardens and compost piles should be at least 50 yards from wetlands, forest tree lines and other cover for bears.
Crops should be planted as far away as possible from wetlands, forest tree lines or other cover.
Keep areas around livestock, crops, beehives, orchards, gardens and compost piles well mowed.
Install mechanical scare devices such as noise-making pyrotechnics, electronic sirens, strobe lights and noise generators around livestock, pastures, crops, beehives, orchards, gardens or compost piles to repel bears.
Electric fencing, when properly installed and maintained, is the most effective method of preventing bear damage to livestock, beehives, crops, silage bags, orchards, gardens and compost piles.
While it is important to take the proper precautions to avoid bear encounters and deter bears from livestock, gardens, crops, etc., there is likely no need to worry as the USDA says that it is not uncommon for bears to coexist with livestock for years without any conflict.
"Although bears are often blamed for killing livestock, they may not always be responsible. Bears are known to scavenge or steal carcasses killed by other predators," says the USDA article. "Furthermore, it is not uncommon for black bear to coexist for years without conflict in areas grazed by livestock."
For more information about New Jersey's black bears and bear safety, visit dep.nj.gov/njfw/bears.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Black bear shot and killed in Ringwood NJ by property owner
