State Authorities Investigate Oakland Bear Report By Boy, 7

OAKLAND, N.J. -- State wildlife officials said they were trying to determine whether a 7-year-old boy with scratches came into direct contact with a bear in Ramapo Mountain State Forest in Oakland over the weekend.

Black bears are relatively common in the area.
Photo Credit: *Wikipedia*

Jerry DeMarco

09/20/2015 6:00 p.m.

The state Department of Environmental Protection was investigating the boy's report, along with marks on his body that could have been caused by thorns, the DEP's Caryn Shinske said.

Authorities set a trap containing a bait bag, Nj.com reports.

The boy, who described the bear as being about 200 pounds, was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center Saturday for evaluation, the report says.

Oakland Mayor Linda Schwager, meanwhile, relayed a report from a group of hikers who said that they saw a bear.

"There is no cause for alarm," the mayor said on her Facebook page.

Schwager told citizens who see a bear to call the borough police non-emergency number: (201) 337-6171. You can also report it to the NJ DEP: 1-877-WARN DEP.

For more information about bears, she said, people can also contact the DEP: (908) 735-8793.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes and receive free news updates.