In the wake of last Friday’s bear sighting in eastern New Canaan—the animal was spotted by a boy in his family’s Thayer Pond Road back yard around 8 p.m.—local police are encouraging residents to learn their “Bear Do’s and Don’ts.”
This black bear was spotted on the night of April 4, 2015 out back of 215 Marvin Ridge Road in New Canaan. Credit: Craig Hunt
The animals are increasing in numbers and have been seen more frequently in Connecticut, according to a state bulletin distributed by New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski and the department’s Animal Control Unit.
“They are rarely aggressive toward humans but can create a variety of problems,” said the bulletin from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Natural Resources Wildlife Division. “In particular, bears that are fed by humans can become habituated and may need to be euthanized. Connecticut residents must learn how to reduce the likelihood of bears becoming a problem. Birdfeeders, garbage, pet food and compost attract bears close to houses and people, and should be made unavailable to bears.”
Here’s a PDF from the state that lists the Do’s and Don’t’s:
https://newcanaanite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/BearAwarePosterMed-1.pdf