Piscopo Cautions Residents on Blackbears
Spring. That wonderful time of year when warmer weather and sunshine is upon us and Mother Nature wakes up from her winter slumber. Trees and flowers bloom, and wildlife comes out of hibernation…including our Connecticut black bears.
Connecticut’s resident black bear population continues to grow in Connecticut. Although primarily in the Northwest region of the state, black bear sightings also are occurring in heavily populated areas as well.
In our 76th district, from 4/23/12 to 2/18/13, there were 183 black bear sightings in Burlington, 82 in Harwinton, 47 in Thomaston, and 75 in Litchfield. (To put in perspective, Burlington has the second highest sightings in CT.)
Black bears are generally shy and secretive and usually fearful of humans. However, if they regularly find food near houses and areas of human activity, they can lose their fear of humans. Unlike grizzly bears, black bears are seldom aggressive toward humans.
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.
Bears near your home
In wilderness settings bears usually avoid people. But food attractants near homes can cause them to grow habituated to humans and disturbances, such as dogs and other noises. Bears are attracted by bird feeders, garbage, outdoor pet food, compost piles, fruit trees, and berry-producing shrubs.
For a complete list on Do’s and Don’ts to avoid attracting bears, visit:
http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=325930&deepNav_GID=1655
Bear sightings should be reported. Bear sightings reported by the public provide valuable information to assist the DEEP Wildlife Division in monitoring the black bear population. Anyone who observes a black bear in Connecticut is encouraged to report the sighting on the DEEP’s website www.depdata.ct.gov/wildlife/sighting/bearrpt.htm
In the rare instance when a bear appears to be aggressive toward people, residents should contact the DEEP Wildlife Division’s Sessions Woods office at (860) 675-8130 (Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 PM) or the DEEP’s 24-hour dispatch line (860) 424-3333 during weekends and non-business hours.
For more information and facts about bears, visit the DEEP’s website www.ct.gov/deep/blackbear.