According to the Patch, in 2023, bears were reported from 165 of the Connecticut's 169 municipalities. In just the first three months of 2024, three bear sightings were reported in Greenwich.
Why? Bears have become more habituated to man-made structures and human behavior. That's especially true in Connecticut, where the state's bear population has a high reproduction rate compared to some other areas of black bear range, according to DEEP.
Reports of bears entering or breaking into homes occurred in 15 different municipalities statewide last year, and the number of serious conflicts involving bears are following a long term upward trend, according to DEEP's report.
How to keep bears away. To minimize your chances of waking up to find a bear browsing your fridge, DEEP officials suggest you hide away your bird feeders and trash cans. The sight and smells of your backyard bird feeders attract bears, and they reward them for coming close to your home. That same principle applies to trash cans that aren't tightly covered. Outside compost piles should not contain meat or sweets. The state wildlife biologists advise adding ammonia to your trash to make it unpalatable. Make a point of cleaning your grills after use.
Comments