Bear threat closes Ramapo Mountain State Forest

Following two encounters between at least one black bear and humans in separate incidents over the weekend, Ramapo Mountain State Forest in Ringwood is closed until the end of the week.

In one incident, three women were hiking in the park on the Bergen-Passaic county border and were pursued by a bear. They met up with a man hiking with his dog and made their way out of the woods.

Later the same day, a male hiker on the park’s Yellow Trail was approached by a bear that swatted at him and then pursued him to a pedestrian bridge that crosses Route 287.

There were two other incidents in the park the weekend before.

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife said it has captured and euthanized a bear believed to be the bear involved in all incidents — but out of an abundance of caution numerous traps are being set to make sure there are no other bears.

Advice for hikers who encounter bears from the Division of Fish and Wildlife includes:

• Never feed or approach a bear.
• Make your presence on the trail known by speaking loudly, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises.
• Remain calm if you encounter a bear. DO NOT RUN FROM IT. Do not make direct eye contact with the bear, as this may be perceived as a challenge. SLOWLY BACK AWAY.
• Make sure the bear has an escape route.
• If the bear continues to follow you or is otherwise undeterred, make loud noises by yelling, blow a whistle, bang pots and pans, or use an air horn, if available. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head
• If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. It is usually not a threatening behavior.
• The bear may utter a series of huffs, make popping jaw sounds by snapping its jaws and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away, avoid direct eye contact and do not run.
• Black bears will sometimes “bluff charge” when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, then slowly back away and do not run.
• Black bear attacks are extremely rare. However, if one does attack, fight back. Do not “play dead.”
• If you see a bear, in particular one that does not show much fear, immediately contact local police or the Department of Environmental Protection’s hotline at 877- 927-6337, or 877-WARN-DEP.