Mama bear, 4 cubs settle underneath family’s porch — and show no signs of leaving
A black bear and her four cubs have taken up residence beneath the porch of a family home in Oakland, New Jersey, creating an unusual situation for the homeowners and their neighborhood.
The bears first moved into the space under the porch last fall, using the sheltered area as a den where they spent the winter months hibernating. On Tuesday morning, the animals were finally seen emerging from their temporary home.
Homeowner Veronica O’Brien-Lim said that at first the family tried to tolerate the unexpected guests. While having a protective mother bear living so close to the house was unsettling, the playful behavior of the cubs made the situation somewhat easier to accept.
Looking for guidance, O’Brien-Lim contacted the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife. Officials told her the bears would likely move on soon but warned there was always a chance they could return later.
As the cubs became more active, the situation began to change. The young bears started rummaging through nearby trash and even damaged the family’s outdoor air-conditioning unit. With the bears becoming more active around the neighborhood, patience among nearby residents has started to wear thin.
Even so, O’Brien-Lim said she hopes to avoid drastic measures and prefers a solution that keeps the animals safe.
She explained that forcing the mother bear away could lead to her abandoning the cubs. In that case, wildlife officials might have to place the cubs with another female bear. If the mother were tranquilized so the cubs could be captured, wildlife crews would need to build another den nearby for the family.
The presence of the bears has also drawn crowds. Curious visitors have been stopping by to try to catch a glimpse, creating traffic problems on the residential street. Neighbor Donna VanRy said the attention has been overwhelming, with people driving and walking through the area asking where the bears are. She noted that the neighborhood is not a zoo.
During the bears’ first outing Tuesday morning, one of the cubs became trapped while trying to climb a fence. A team from Fish and Wildlife freed the cub and returned it to its mother. The bears then continued moving through the area, although officials said they could still return later in the day or possibly come back again in the fall to hibernate.
Wildlife officials have advised the family that the best long-term solution may be to seal off the crawl space beneath the porch, preventing the bears from using it again.
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