Big, Bad Bear Problem at Ramapo College

By ALYSSA BLUNDO

MAHWAH-Ramapo College of  New Jersey is surrounded by woods and mountains. It is also a prime place to spot a bear.

Even though they may look cute and cuddly, bears in the wild are extremely powerful and dangerous animals.These dangerous animals have been spotted numerous times on Campus. Many of these bear sightings take place mostly in the back of the Student Center and the eastern  side of the Campus. Understanding what to do when there is a bear nearby is important,  experts say.

” You have to be alert and take care of your trash.” Said Thomas Mauro, Ramapo’s public safety manager and training officer. “If you stumble upon a bear, move away and make noise. We also send out emails and post flyers in the area as well as sending alerts to students and staff through the Alert Me Now Service.”

Reports and Reactions

According to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife Bear Activity Report, there have been 16 counties who reported bear activity in 2019 and 19 counties in 2018. In 2019 , there have also been 169 sightings and 649 damages and nuisances while there have been 180 sightings and 705 damages and nuisances in 2018.

“I feel like there are most often by the CPA’s [College Park Apartments] because, I mean the Village is like a large parking lot, so they’re not going to be over there.” Said Sam Mundy, a Ramapo Junior. “The CPA’s are kind of backed into a wooded corner of the Campus, so I think that’s where they are.”

All of these sightings, damages and nuisances dropped significantly since last year. According to the N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife Bear Activity Report, there have been three counties who reported bear activity in 2020.  In 2019 four counties reported activity. As of now,  there’s no way to find out where these bears are located.

The two biggest seasons for bear sightings on Campus are Spring and Fall and they love the smell of food as well as sweet stuff like candy.

Expert advise staying a safe distance and watch where the bear goes; take out your trash and if you come across a bear move away and make noise. Finally, look out for alerts from our Public Safety Officers.

If there are any bear sightings, damages or nuisances on Ramapo’s campus, you can dial the Public Safety Office at (201)-634-6666 or dial 911 and they will put you in contact with the Mahwah Police Department.

To find out more about bear sightings in your area, please check out the N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife Bear Activity Report on the  N.J. Department of Environmental Protection’s website.