Paramus neighborhood amazed by bear sleeping in tree for hours

<p>A young, black bear spotted in Paramus Monday kept a neighborhood on edge and entertained for hours.</p>

News 12 Staff

Apr 30, 2018, 8:09 PM

Updated 2,181 days ago

Share:

A young, black bear spotted in Paramus Monday kept a neighborhood on edge and entertained for hours.
The bear was first seen in the morning wandering near Sirianni Park behind Bergen County Community College, and then through several neighborhoods. It finally climbed a tree on Benton Road and fell asleep for hours.
The McDermott sisters were the first ones to spot the wayward bear and called 911.
The sisters tell News 12 New Jersey that they thought that the bear was very cute and adorable.
“I hope that it finds its mother again,” one of the girls said.
But other neighbors were not as amused. Some were worried about property damage if the bear were to fall on one of their roofs.
Wildlife officials were on location for much of the day monitoring the bear. They said that they were not going to intervene unless the bear moved too close to nearby Route 17. Animal control workers used noisemakers to try to wake the sleeping bear and get it to leave the neighborhood, but were unsuccessful.
The bear finally climbed down on its own by Monday night and headed back toward the woods.
Although many of the neighborhood residents were out taking photos and watching the bear, officials warn that residents should call 911 if a bear is spotted and never approach the animal.
Officials say that the bear was about 2 years old and weighed about 125 pounds.


More from News 12
0:28
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say

Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say

1:37
Rain, clouds followed by mild temps and clearer skies in New Jersey

Rain, clouds followed by mild temps and clearer skies in New Jersey

0:15
Authorities: Berkley Township man sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatal stabbing of Seaside Heights man

Authorities: Berkley Township man sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatal stabbing of Seaside Heights man

1:42
Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

0:32
Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

0:56
Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

0:09
Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

2:16
Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

0:59
Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:01
New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

1:54
Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

2:45
Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

1:42
Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

0:27
Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

0:25
Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

0:48
Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

1:37
Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

0:31
Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12