Bears Afoot In Newtown

By Kendra Bobowick

Get to know his name: Ursus americanus. Most of us know him as the black bear.

Travelers and residents along Great Hill Road, Galilee Way, and Boggs Hill Road have seen him, or found evidence that he had “visited.”

Early last week two residents contacted The Bee with their bear stories.

Sue Primavera lives on Galilee Way, but was traveling on Boggs Hill on Sunday, June 15, when she saw “a big bear,” she said. Describing the animal’s motions as “lumbering,” Ms Primavera said, “My daughter said, ‘Mom, is that a bear?’” With a glance through the car window, Ms Primavera said, “Yes, it is.” She said, “He was lumbering, you know, like bears do. He was on the move. I called 911.” She also noted that she was concerned, “Because of that poor dog [Snooker].” In recent weeks one resident’s retriever Snooker did not return home in late May and was found dead in the woods near the house the next morning.

She told police, “I don’t know if this is an emergency but…” Officers were soon on their way.

Is a bear sighting an emergency?

Not likely. But pets, for example, need protection, according to Gregg Dancho, director of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport. “They’re omnivores and will eat anything they can get their hands on,” he said. Garbage cans, grills, and pet food in the yard are all appealing to bears.

Johanna Kurkcu, also of Galilee Way, saw evidence of a bear that fits Mr Dancho’s scenario of dining at an outdoor food source. Although he had mentioned trash or a barbeque grill as the attraction, Ms Kurkcu told The Bee that her poolside outdoor refrigerator had been damaged and some of its contents, including a bottle of soda, had been torn apart. This incident also took place on Sunday, June 15. Ms Kurkcu contacted the animal control office. Noting the four-foot-tall pool enclosure, she said, “I think it climbed the fence and opened the fridge.”

She did not see a bear. “I saw evidence. It wasn’t a raccoon.” She has since emptied her refrigerator, which Mr Dancho would advise. Specifically, he warns that residents should not leave pet food outdoors, and should secure their trash or keep it locked in a garage. Grills should also be cleaned. Food aromas tempt bears and other wildlife. “All these things draw wild animals into the backyard,” he said. Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason also stressed that residents need to keep the areas around their homes food-free.

And learn to avoid making the situation worse. Residents tossing scraps to the raccoons, feeding the “cute” fox or other critters are creating a larger problem. “Do not feed them,” Mr Dancho stressed. An animal accustomed to finding food door-to-door could lose its fear of humans, for one, and habitually search for something to eat. Essentially, people have to “relearn” how to live with nature, he said.

How many calls has Ms Mason received in the last few weeks?

“At least ten,” she said Tuesday, June 17. Also in that area is Deep Brook Road, where Ms Mason lives. Her daughter Melissa, 20, also plays a role. “She was the first one to see [a bear] after the golden retriever…” Shortly after Snooker’s death, Melissa saw a bear on May 31 crossing Deep Brook Road near Dickinson Park. Many suspected aggressive coyotes killed the 80-pound dog, but Ms Mason thought aloud last week as she wondered if Snooker, for some reason, disturbed a bear.

Will a bear attack a dog?

“Yes,” Mr Dancho said. “But usually, no.” Getting into a garbage can is easier, “but a [bear] will take a dog, so it depends on if they’re hungry,” he warned. Bears will also protect themselves if they are startled. Did Snooker approach the bear? Ms Mason wondered if it was a possibility. After the dog’s death she had advised residents to keep a close eye on smaller dogs especially, but to look after larger dogs also to protect them from wildlife.

Despite Ms Mason’s suspicions, Mr Dancho added up Snooker’s death: “You have coyotes, a bear, a dog, and the dog is dead. I would bet on the coyotes before the bear.”

Why Are We Seeing Bears?

“They are more prevalent than you would believe. There are many more black bears than people think,” Mr Dancho said. “They’re becoming a nuisance.” Leave them alone, he said. If you want to walk in the woods, carry a whistle, a stick to bang. “Let them know you’re there,” he said. Bears can be a problem if you come upon them by surprise, he said. Bang pots and pans if you see a bear in the yard.

In general, the bear is not interested in being too close to people. “Leave them alone, make noises. Bears will run from people,” said Mr Dancho. “They’re normally docile.” Black bears in particular are not aggressive, he said, except a mother bear, who will protect her cubs. If a problem occurs, he advises residents to contact the Department of Environmental Protection

Overall, Ms Mason said, “There is no reason to be alarmed. He is not out to attack. He is out for food.” Every year she goes through this, she said. “We’ll see things, then we won’t hear about it any more.” Guessing that the animal is a young bear that will leave the area, she said, “He is here now. He’ll move on.” The region’s bear population is estimated to be in the hundreds, based on DEP information.

 

Just The Facts

According to the Department of Environmental Protection’s website at www.ct.gov/dep, glimpsing a bear in Connecticut was once unlikely because bears were nearly gone from the state by the mid-1800s. Since then, bears have made a comeback. Their return is due, in part, to the regrowth of forestland throughout the region following the abandonment of farms during the late 1800s. Beginning in the 1980s, the DEP Wildlife Division had evidence of a resident population. Since then, annual sighting reports have increased dramatically, indicating a rapid increase in the bear population. With the number of bears increasing in the state, it is important for residents to learn the facts about black bears and how to coexist with them.

Like Mr Dancho’s advice, the DEP website offers the following: to avoid attracting bears, remove birdfeeders from late March through November. If a bear visits a birdfeeder in winter, remove the feeder.

Add a few capfuls of ammonia to trash bags and garbage cans to mask food odors. Keep trash bags in a container with a tight lid and store in a garage or shed. Wait until the morning of collection before bringing out trash.

Do not leave pet food outside overnight and store livestock food in airtight containers.

Do not put meats or sweet-smelling fruit rinds in compost piles. Lime can be sprinkled on the compost pile to reduce the smell and discourage bears.

Thoroughly clean grills after use.

Never intentionally feed bears. Bears that associate food with people may become aggressive and dangerous. This may lead to personal injury, property damage, and the need to destroy problem animals.

Encourage your neighbors to take similar precautions.

If you see a bear on your property you can either leave the bear alone and wait for it to leave or make loud noises from a safe distance to attempt to scare the bear away.

Also according to the DEP’s information, the black bear is an intelligent animal with keen senses of smell and hearing. It can detect the slightest aroma of food, which may lead the bear to campsites and near homes. Odor from carelessly stored food and garbage can lure bears long distances. Black bears travel and feed primarily at night, but can be active any time of the day. Climatic factors, such as drought, may result in a food shortage, causing bears to travel many miles in search of food.

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.

You may contact the DEPs Wildlife Division at 860-675-8130 if you have additional questions.