It's not The "Wizard of Oz" and there's no lions or tigers but police in Manchester Township say a black bear may be roaming around the Cedar Glen Homes and Holly Oaks section after being spotted there as late as Sunday night.

Black Bear in Manchester Township. (Manchester Township Police Department)
Black Bear in Manchester Township. (Manchester Township Police Department)
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The bear which weighs between 200 and 250-pounds hasn't caused any reported damage after being spotted in the Township Sunday morning and evening.

It was also seen in the area of Holly Hill Road on Sunday night which is where police responded to.

Investigators tried using sirens, air horns and water hoses which resulted in the bear walking away towards the Jackson-Toms River border, but they don't believe it poses any dangerous threat.

Since the bear is still out on the loose, officers are urging residents of the nearby towns as well to proceed with caution if they spot the bear.

  • Never feed or approach a bear!
  • Remain calm if you encounter a bear.
  • Make the bear aware of your presence by speaking in an
    assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands, or making other
    noises.
  • Make sure the bear has an escape route.
  • If a bear enters your home, provide it with an escape route by
    propping all doors open.
  • Avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as
    a challenge.
  • Never run from a bear. Instead, slowly back away.
  • To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging
    and pans or using an air horn. 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.
  • 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.
  • If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be t
    trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. It is
    usually not a threatening behavior.
  • 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.
  • If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area.
  • Report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to the DEP's
    24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-
    6337).
  • Families who live in areas frequented by black bears should
    have a "Bear Plan" in place for children, with an escape route
    and planned use of whistles and air horns.
  • Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear does
    attack, fight back!

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