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“Great job with a safe rescue,” Mayor Richard LaBarbiera said, adding that it was “confirmed that he was not harmed.
“He will be returned to a state forest within four hours,” the mayor said just before 5 p.m.
PHOTO: Courtesy Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera
Believed to be about a year old, the 98-pound bear was reported seen several times near the Garden State Parkway before being spotted in the tree near Globe Science Inc.’s offices earlier this afternoon, Police Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.
Staff and youngsters at the Parkway Elementary School on East Ridgewood Avenue were kept indoors after the cub was seen in the neighborhood late this morning, Ehrenberg said.
Animal control officers intended to move the bear to a less populated area in Sussex County.
First they had to get him down, though — which wasn’t as easy as some think.
The initial shot fired from a Paramus Fire Department ladder truck hit the cub in the ear and didn’t seem to have an initial effect.
A net was spread below as the effort continued. Soon after, he tumbled in safely.
And although many would think the mother wasn’t far behind, no other bears have been reported seen in the area.
“Momma Bear prob forced him out to be on his own,” said LaBarbiera (center in bottom photo), adding that it is “apparently very common this time of year.”
CLIFFVIEW PILOT PHOTO: Juan Rapozo (Johnny’s Images on FACEBOOK)
PHOTOS: Courtesy Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera (center)
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