Getting a close up peek at a black bear may not be that uncommon if you live in Chester or Deep River. According to tri-town Animal Control Officer Jae Wolf, there have been several black bear sightings in these two towns over the last two weeks.

“I have gotten reports of a bear at the Pattaconk Yatch Club in Chester and in Deep River on Bokum Road. The bear at Pattaconk was large and the one in Deep River was smaller,” said Wolf.

“We should always be respectful of wildlife, the bears are part of the area and we are encroaching on its space, taking more and more property from wildlife all the time, so we need to respect nature and the animals, but also make sure that we are safe at the same time,” Wolf continued. “Public safety is paramount always, so I strongly suggest that no one try to feed the bears, don’t try to approach them, and call either myself and/or the Department of Environmental and Energy Protection for help.”

Wolf said that, where simply avoiding a bear isn’t a possibility, making noise (such as banging on pots and pans) may scare the bear away.

According to the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) website, black bears, which are the smallest North American bear, were extirpated from the state by the mid-1800s. However, since then, they have made a comeback. Beginning in the 1980s, the DEEP’s Wildlife Division has evidence of a resident black bear population in Connecticut and annual sighting reports have increased dramatically, indicating a rapid increase in the bear population.

With the number of bears increasing in the state, the DEEP is trying to teach residents how to coexist with them. Black bears have a keen sense of smell and hearing. Odor from carelessly stored food and garbage can lure them long distances. They are generally shy 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.

DEEP reports that bears may attack sheep, goats, pigs, fowl, and llamas, however, attacks on horses and cattle are less common and black bears rarely harm cats or dogs. They will however, go after pet rabbits in outdoor hutches. DEEP recommends electric fencing and securing livestock in a safe building during night time hours. In addition, it recommendeds that all animal feed be stored in airtight containers.

In addition, DEEP explains that the mere presence of a black 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 bear that was sighted on Bokum Road destroyed a small bird feeder on residential property,” said Wolf.

The DEEP urges area residents to report all bear sightings to the Wildlife Division at 860-675-8130. For more information, visit www.ct.gov/deep.

Ways to Deter Black Bears from Your Property

Information courtesy of the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

• Remove bird feeders from late March through November. If a bear visits a bird feeder in winter, remove the feeder.

• Wait until the morning of collection before bringing out trash. 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.

• Do not leave pet food outside overnight. 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 or store in a garage or shed.

• 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 neighbors to take similar precautions.