Kids & Family

Bear Found Dead Along Route 95

It's unclear, but possible, that this was the same bear that was in Princeton this week.

 

A bear matching the description of the one roaming around Princeton for the last two days was found dead along Route 95 in Ewing on Friday morning, but it may never be known if was the same bear. 

"It could be (the same one), who knows and nobody will ever know," Princeton Animal Control Officer Mark Johnson said. "It was the same height, same weight and same color, just 11 miles away."

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The bear was found run over on Route 95 near the intersection of Route 31 at Exit 4, Johnson said. 

Residents have been been avidly following the movements of a three-foot tall black bear that was first spotted by a Plainsboro resident around 12:30 between Thanet Road and Governor's Lane, near the Princeton Shopping Center, according to Princeton Township Police Sgt. Mike Cifelli.

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Police and Johnson spent hours trying to contain the bear in the woods between Terhune Road and the Princeton Shopping Center. Two news helicopters flew overhead. 

By evening, the bear had apparently migrated into Princeton Borough and was spotted about 50 feet up in a tree in Princeton Cemetery at the corner of Witherspoon and Wiggins streets. 

A large crowd gathered along Witherspoon and there were shrieks as excited onlookers watched bear climb down from the tree and make its way back in the direction of the Township. 

The bear left Princeton Borough on Thursday afternoon and went back into the Township around Herrontown Road and Herrontown Woods, Johnson said. 

Black bears typically come out of hibernation in late spring and are often spotted in the area, according to police. Last year, there were multiple sightings of a bear along Cherry Hill Road for several days before the animal apparently left the area. 

If you see a bear loose in Princeton, please call 609-921-2100.


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