New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife officials used donuts and peanut butter to lure a bear down from a tree on Monday morning [3].
The incident highlights the challenges wildlife officers face when managing animals in urban environments, where traditional tranquilizers may not be feasible due to height or safety risks.
The bear had climbed approximately 40 feet into a tree [1] located on the 600 block of Court Street in Elizabeth, New Jersey [2]. Because the animal was positioned too high to be safely tranquilized, officials said that a food-based approach was the most effective way to bring the bear down without risking a fall or injury to the public [3].
Wildlife officers placed donuts and peanut butter at the base of the tree to entice the bear. Once the animal descended for the treats, officials were able to trap it. The bear was then safely relocated to a different area [1].
Local residents in the Elizabeth neighborhood witnessed the operation as officials worked to resolve the public-safety concern [2]. The use of high-calorie treats is a known tactic for coaxing bears, as their strong sense of smell makes them highly responsive to sugary and fatty foods [1].
This operation avoided the need for more aggressive intervention, ensuring both the animal and the community remained safe during the removal process [3].
“The bear was too high to be tranquilized and posed a public-safety concern”
The use of food lures in urban wildlife management reflects a shift toward non-invasive techniques when standard chemical immobilization is impractical. As black bear habitats expand into residential areas of New Jersey, officials must increasingly rely on behavioral incentives to mitigate human-wildlife conflict safely.
