Black Bear Spotted in Madison

A black bear was spotted in a section of Madison recently, but that's not necessarily any cause for alarm, according to borough police.

Madison police sent an alert Sunday morning saying a bear was sighted around Madison Avenue and Loantaka Way.

"Unless aggressive behavior or property destruction is imminent there is no need for alarm," the alert said.

Police pointed residents to the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife website for facts about the animals and tips on not attracting them.

The state says there have been confirmed bear sightings in all 21 counties and the most common issue is bears getting into garbage cans.

"Bears are attracted to neighborhoods by garbage odors, so properly securing your garbage is one of the best ways to prevent bears from becoming a nuisance in your community," the website says.