Full Breakdown
New Jersey Family Shares Home with Bear and Cubs
4/15/2026, 7:11:26 AM
Bears Take Up Residence Under Porch
In Oakland, New Jersey, a family has found themselves sharing their home with a mother bear and her four cubs, who have established a den beneath their porch. The bears have been residing there since the fall, emerging for the first time on a recent Tuesday morning. Initially, the presence of the bears was met with curiosity and excitement by the homeowners, Veronica O'Brien-Lim and Vincent Lim, who described the cubs as "adorable." However, as the bears became more active, their behavior shifted from charming to concerning, prompting the family to seek advice from the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW).
Growing Concerns and Community Impact
As the bears began to explore their surroundings, they rummaged through neighbors' trash and caused damage to the family's central air unit. O'Brien-Lim expressed her worries about the potential consequences of intervention, stating that hazing the mother bear could lead to her abandoning the cubs. The NJDFW advised the family to board up the crawl space to prevent the bears from returning, but the situation has drawn attention from local residents and sightseers, leading to traffic congestion in the neighborhood.
Neighbor Donna VanRy noted the influx of visitors, saying, "It was like paparazzi here," highlighting the disruption caused by the bears' presence. The Lim family has been taking precautions, including keeping air horns on hand to deter the bears if they come too close.
Rescue and Future Considerations
During their first outing, one of the cubs became stuck while attempting to climb a fence but was rescued by a NJDFW team and reunited with its mother. The wildlife officials warned that the bears could return later that day or in the fall for hibernation. The Lim family has been advised to secure their property and manage potential food sources that might attract bears.
Official Statements and Community Response
The NJDFW emphasized the importance of securing trash and other food sources to prevent bears from approaching residential areas. O'Brien-Lim reiterated that any intervention would be a last resort, as separating the cubs from their mother could have dire consequences for their survival.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ “If [the NJDFW] haze the mother out, she would possibly run and abandon the cubs, and then they would have to find another sow to basically put them with.” — Veronica O'Brien-Lim, Homeowner
- “NJDEP Fish & Wildlife says, "Based on the site visit, the bear is in the process of moving its cubs.” — NJDEP Fish & Wildlife
As the situation continues to unfold, the Lim family remains hopeful that the bears will eventually move on, while also preparing for the possibility of their return.
