Authorities Tranquilize Black Bear Roaming Around Ridgewood, NJ

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – A black bear reportedly roaming around Ridgewood, New Jersey, was tranquilized by authorities Saturday.

According to posts on the Ridgewood Police Department's social media accounts, the 175-pound bear was roaming the community earlier but was removed by the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Ridgewood police tell WCBS 880 a call came in at about 8:10 a.m. about a bear in the area heading into town.

Paige Delaney took video of the bear before it climbed the tree in her backyard.

"Once it was looking at me, I kind of got a little nervous there, but then it turned around and went up the tree," Delaney told CBS2's Matt Kozar.

The bear was coaxed into a tree where crews used smoke and noise to keep it until help could arrive. The bear then fell into an awaiting net and removed from the scene, police said.

"It's concerning that something like that could wander in on a random day," neighbor Bill Bond said.

According to New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Division, bear sightings last year were up nearly 39 percent.

Bear sightings in Ridgewood last fall led to a mock Twitter account that includes regular updates from the roaming animal.

The bear will eventually be released in northwestern New Jersey, the police department said.