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New Neighbors? Black Bear Sightings Increase in Guilford

While the summer season tends to bring tourists and visitors to town, Guilford residents have begun to notice some other uninvited guests popping up in their backyards. Black bear sightings are on the rise across town and local officials are warning residents to keep a sharp eye when they step outside.

Police Chief Jeff Hutchinson said he has been receiving reports from residents describing black bear sightings.

“The numbers have been increasing lately, that is for sure,” he said.

One such resident is Audrey Popplewell, who looked out on her yard last week and found a black bear digging into her birdfeeder.

“A very large black bear came to our bird feeder and destroyed it trying to get at the sunflower seeds,” she said. “Our feeder was hanging on an old clothes line post which stands 6 ½ feet high. The bear was completely unafraid and stayed almost 20 minutes before wandering toward the neighboring yards behind us.”

Popplewell, whose home is situation in a heavily populated area between Route 1 and I-95, said the bear did not appear to be aggressive, but she said she will be paying closer attention to who wanders into her yard.

“We believe in live and let live as long as there is no danger,” she said. “Obviously, we’ll make sure we look out the window before going out in the yard from now on.”

While Popplewell’s experience was certainly exciting, it is no longer unique around town. Animal Control Officer Danielle Borrelli said bears have been spotted all over. According to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), 14 sightings of bears have been reported in Guilford from July 2015 to July 2016.

According to DEEP, the black bear population has been on the rise since the 1980s, partially due to the regrowth of forestland in the region and a reduction in farms. Black bears are the smallest of North American bears, but a male can still weight up to 450 pounds and reach a length of 5 to 6 feet.

To properly handle a bear encounter, Borrelli said there are many things residents can do—but first, go inside.

“Black bears are typically non-aggressive and shy creatures,” she said. “Loud noises will usually scare them off, so you can bang pots and pans together if you need to get them out of the yard. When out hiking or walking, simply making noise will usually scare them off. Talking loudly, making your phone ring on high volume, or anything like that will usually do the trick. Never run if you see a bear, just walk away slowly while making noise.”

Handling other household pets in the presence of a bear can be a bit tricky, but Borrelli said the important thing is to keep control of your animal.

“When walking with dogs, always keep them on a leash,” she said. “Not only is it the law, but it allows you complete control over your pet. Even the best-trained dog may find chasing a bear too good of an opportunity to pass up. You can also attach a sleigh-bell to your dog’s leash or harness to make noise as you walk. The same goes for the equestrians in town—putting a bell somewhere on your horse will alert wildlife that you are coming while trail riding.”

There are also precautions residents can take to make their yards less attractive to black bears. Borelli said removing bird feeders, keeping trash secure, and keeping outdoor animal feed sealed are important things to remember.

“One thing people may not think of is their grill. Keeping it clean and emptying the grease trap will make it less attractive to bears,” she said. “Compost piles are another thing in our yards that can attract bears as well, and lime juice can be added to make the compost less sweet-smelling. If you have an outdoor party, make sure you do a complete clean up afterwards. If you have beehives in your yard for honey, secure them properly. A good way to protect beehives is with electric wiring to prevent the bears from damaging them.”

Borelli said staying informed is the best way to handle a bear encounter.

“Getting the word out on how to co-exist with the bears will help reduce conflicts and keep both bears and people safe and happy,” she said.

To learn more about black bears or to report a sighting, contact DEEP at 860-424-3011 or visit its website www.ct.gov/deep.