Caught on Camera: Bear 'ding-dong ditches' Sparta home
Smart doorbell, smarter bear.
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Black bears are common in Sussex County, but a bear ringing a doorbell is not something you see every day.
Earlier this month, a curious black bear made a house call in Sparta. The visitor stopped by resident Naomi Kuren’s home. He climbed onto the front porch and stuck his nose into the doorbell camera while another bear paced the front lawn.
The bear investigated the porch, checking the walls and steps before scurrying off to join his companion.
Black bears live in all 21 New Jersey counties. While they’re not true hibernators, they are less active in winter and emerge to look for food more often in warmer months.
As cute as they are, officials warn people to avoid contact with bears. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection says if you encounter a bear, remain calm, be loud and make sure the animal has an escape route. The DEP also advises people not to feed bears and to keep trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
