(05/17/06) LACEY ? A New Jersey group believes a new type of garbage can may represent the next step in bear attack prevention for residents.

Members of the Bear Group of New Jersey say the new cans are smaller and less expensive than similar items already on the market. To test the cans out, group representatives filled them up with food and placed them in front of bears at the Popcorn Park Zoo. Although some of the animals lightly batted around the receptacles, they seemed more interested in onlookers than in the garbage cans themselves.

The new cans can be rigged up for about $40 to $60. Cans currently on the market retail for $90 to $150.