Black Bears in Connecticut
By Nicholas DiGiovanni on April 11, 2012, 12:26pm
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From the shoreline to the north; they're everywhere!
Reports from April 2011-2012:
Andover 3
Ashford 4
Avon 202
Barkhamsted 100
Beacon Falls 4
Berlin 5
Bethany 13
Bethlehem 4
Bloomfield 34
Bolton 1
Bozrah 1
Branford 1
Bridgewater 4
Bristol 53
Brookfield 3
Burlington 157
Canaan 6
Canton 160
Chaplin 1
Cheshire 3
Chester 2
Colebrook 18
Cornwall 12
Coventry 1
Cromwell 1
Danbury 7
Derby 2
Durham 2
East Granby 65
East Haddam 2
East Hampton 1
East Hartford 2
East Lyme 1
East Windsor 1
Eastford 3
Easton 5
Ellington 9
Farmington 230
Goshen 42
Granby 75
Griswold 1
Guilford 6
Haddam 6
Hamden 1
Hartland 35
Harwinton 112
Hebron 1
Kent 8
Killingly 2
Killingworth 5
Lebanon 2
Ledyard 2
Litchfield 74
Madison 10
Middlebury 3
Middlefield 4
Monroe 2
Montville 1
Morris 9
Naugatuck 2
New Britain 13
New Fairfield 9
New Hartford 98
New Haven 1
New Milford 33
Newtown 10
Norfolk 19
North Canaan 1
North Stonington 1
Oxford 9
Plainfield 1
Plainville 12
Plymouth 45
Pomfret 1
Prospect 5
Redding 2
Ridgefield 6
Roxbury 14
Salem 1
Salisbury 10
Seymour 2
Sharon 14
Shelton 1
Sherman 12
Simsbury 141
Somers 6
Southbury 5
Southington 12
Stafford 13
Stamford 1
Stonington 2
Suffield 43
Thomaston 67
Thompson 2
Tolland 3
Torrington 193
Trumbull 3
Wallingford 5
Warren 15
Washington 6
Waterbury 6
Watertown 27
West Hartford 30
Willington 4
Wilton 1
Winchester 89
Windsor 47
Windsor Locks 7
winsted 1
Wolcott 13
Woodbury 1
Woodstock 4
Total 2593
Bear Management
As Connecticut’s bear population continues to increase, more bears, particularly young bears, will be seen near residential areas. The DEP's response will depend on the specifics of each bear situation. The mere presence of a bear does not necessitate its removal. In most cases, if left alone, the bear will make its way to a more natural habitat. Removing food attractants, such as bird feeders, reduces the chance that bears will go near homes. The DEP seldom relocates bears. An exception may be made to remove a bear in an urban location when there is little likelihood that it can leave safely on its own and when the bear is in a position where it can be safely immobilized. DEP Tranquilizing Teams, consisting of Environmental Conservation Police officers and wildlife biologists, are trained and equipped to immobilize wildlife. Bears cannot be relocated to another state because no other state allows it. Bears that have persistent, serious, negative behavior, such as killing protected livestock or entering buildings, may have to be destroyed.
As bears become more regular residents of Connecticut towns, it is important that people learn to adapt to the presence of bears and take measures to avoid damage and problems. If people do not take precautions, problem behavior by bears can increase, possibly leading to bears being removed or destroyed.
Living with Bears
Much of Connecticut’s landscape is now forested and is suitable for black bears. The rapid increase in the bear population between the 1980s and early 2000s is expected to continue. As the bear population expands, interactions between humans and bears will increase. People should learn what to do if they see a bear and how to avoid unnecessary conflicts by keeping food away from bears.
If you see a bear:
- Enjoy it from a distance.
- Advertise your presence by shouting and waving your arms or walk slowly away.
- Never attempt to feed or attract bears.
- Report bear sightings to the Wildlife Division, at (860) 675-8130.
Source: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=325930&depNav_GID=1655
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