HOPATCONG -- A cable TV repairman came face-to-face Wednesday with a 550-pound bear that had built a nest and was living in an unfinished basement on Madison Trail, unknown to the homeowner, authorities said.
The repairman backed away, but the stoic male bear didn't budge until state conservation officer Michael Madoni shot it with a tranquilizer dart around 2:30 p.m., Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Larry Ragonese said.
The bear then dashed out the door, into the woods and through the streets of the neighborhood.
Ragonese said that for around a half-hour -- witnesses described a much-longer time frame -- the tranquilized but still-strong bear was at large, prompting onlookers and television news trucks to rush to the scene in the hope of getting a glimpse.
http://www.njherald.com/story/16327707/bear-found-living-under-home-in-hopatcong
The repairman backed away, but the stoic male bear didn't budge until state conservation officer Michael Madoni shot it with a tranquilizer dart around 2:30 p.m., Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Larry Ragonese said.
The bear then dashed out the door, into the woods and through the streets of the neighborhood.
Ragonese said that for around a half-hour -- witnesses described a much-longer time frame -- the tranquilized but still-strong bear was at large, prompting onlookers and television news trucks to rush to the scene in the hope of getting a glimpse.
http://www.njherald.com/story/16327707/bear-found-living-under-home-in-hopatcong