Donuts Lure Bear Down From Elizabeth Tree

A bear found itself stranded in a tree in an Elizabeth neighborhood for an extended period. Residents alerted authorities to the situation on Court Street. New Jersey Fish and Wildlife officials determined that tranquilizing the bear posed too great a risk of injury to both the animal and the public.

Instead of tranquilizers, officers deployed a large cage trap filled with donuts to entice the bear. The sweet bait proved effective, and the bear was successfully captured. Following its capture, the bear was sedated for transport out of the area with assistance from emergency personnel on site.

This incident highlights a shift in protocol for New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, which now primarily responds to bear calls only when the animals exhibit aggressive behavior towards people. Residents reported seeing a younger bear earlier that morning, which may have been responsible for minor disturbances like knocking over garbage cans.