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Police: Don't feed bear visiting Evesham

It was spotted in a backyard in the area of Barton Run Boulevard and Jessica Court.

Watch out for a bear in Evesham.
Watch out for a bear in Evesham.Read moreAP

Bear alert.

An Evesham resident spotted a black bear Wednesday evening in the area of Barton Run Boulevard and Jessica Court. The homeowner took a video of the bear roaming through the yard before it returned to the wooded area behind the homes there, according to local police.

Based on the video, police and state wildlife officials decided the bear was acting normally. Still, they urged residents to be vigilant in taking precautions such as securing garbage cans and removing bird feeders.

Police said they will have extra patrols in the area for the next few days.

Here are a few tips from police for anyone who encounters a bear: Don't throw food at it, unless you can run faster than the 35 mph that a bear can run. Don't flee abruptly, because that may cause the bear to chase you. If it is at a distance and sees you, let it know you are human by talking to it and waving your arms. If it does start to chase you, throw something like your phone at it as a distraction so you can leave.

Worst-case scenario if a bear attacks, the wildlife division posted on its website: "Be loud, wave your arms, and stand your ground. Fight back! Be aggressive and use any object you have.

"Only if you are sure the bear attacking is a mother who is protecting its cubs, play dead. If you have pepper spray, use it. Begin spraying when it's within 40 ft so it runs into the fog. Aim for the face."

This is the time of the year that bears often wander from the woods into suburban areas looking for food and mates. The Evesham neighborhood offers perfect amenities with the nearby Barton Run and woods. There's even a nice swimming pool, which bears will at times use to cool down during their travels.

For more information, visit the Evesham Township Police Facebook page, or the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife website. If the bear is spotted, New Jersey Fish and Wildlife can be contacted at 877-927-6337.