DEEP: State’s black bears becoming more active

The bears are back. “With the warmer weather black bears are leaving their winter dens and becoming more active,” the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said. “Residents of towns in western Connecticut should expect a regular presence of black bears as they are now well established in that part of the state.”

Last year, there were about 6,500 black bear sightings in 131 out of 169 Connecticut towns were reported to the DEEP Wildlife Division.

Between April 13 and Oct. 18, 2017, 142 bears were sighted in the greater Bridgeport area: Ansonia, 2; Derby, 7; Easton, 19; Fairfield, 5; Milford, 30; Monroe, 28; Seymour, 16; Shelton, 4; Stratford, 1; Trumbull,6; Westport, 1; and Wilton, 23.

The largest number of bears reported in the state during that time was in Avon, with 454.

Cubs are born in the bear dens during January and February.

“Cubs are weaned when they are about seven months old and will remain with the female until the second summer of their lives,” DEEP says on its bear page. “Then, the young bears, especially the males, may travel great distances in search of their own territories. Yearling females frequently settle near their mother’s home range. Young bears are often forced into less preferred habitat.”

The rapid increase in the bear population between the 1980s and early 2000s is expected to continue, DEEP said.

As the bear population expands, interactions between humans and bears will increase, experts cautioned.

Tips for living with black bears

To live peacefully with bears, DEEP suggests:

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.

If you see a bear on your

“Cubs are weaned when they are about seven months old and will remain with the female until the second summer of their lives. Then, the young bears, especially the males, may travel great distances in search of their own territories.”

DEEP’s website

Contributed photo This bear was photographed climbing a tree to get at birdfeeders in Brookfield recently