New Canaan has seen an ‘increase in wildlife activity.’ Why?
NEW CANAAN — Bear sightings are up and more deer have been spotted injured at the side of the road, Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm said this week. Just recently, a bear was suspected of taking apart a chicken coop in town.
Bear visibility may be up as a result of climate change, according to the Executive Director of New Canaan Land Trust Aaron Lefland.
“There have been documented changes in the timing of bird migrations and the length of time that black bears hibernate, among others,” Lefland explained Tuesday. “In the case of black bears, that can mean more opportunities for human and bear interactions, simply because they are up and moving more days of the year.”
Last fall, CT DEEP sent out a press release warning that “interactions between black bears and people continue to increase,” which results in “unprecedented numbers of complaints and requests for assistance,” according to the DEEP website.
Animals prepare for the winter in different ways, Lefland said. “Some, like bear, are trying to put on as much weight as possible to help them last through the winter.”
“An increase in wildlife activity,” is expected this time of year for “a number of reasons,” according to Halm. “Animals are looking to fatten up for the winter in anticipation of hibernation.”
As black bears increase their food intake, “human provided foods can be easy to find and access, making them more desirable,” the CT DEEP website states. Black bears that consume human-associated food on a regular basis become comfortable around people and their food. As they “become increasingly food conditioned, conflicts with humans will continue to increase.”
Animals hibernate to conserve energy when food is scarce and try to minimize exposure to the winter elements. During hibernation, an animal lowers its body temperature, slows its breathing, reduces its heart rate and relaxes its metabolism, according to the National Forest Foundation.
As hibernation changes, researchers may have less information about animals in coming years. During winter months, researchers typically enter bear dens in late February and early March when the animals tend to be lethargic, but they have been finding them awake, according to National Geographic. Therefore, they are unable to complete their normal routines such as counting cubs and taking measurements such as weights and blood samples.
Deer are also more visible this time of year, as they are “are at the height of their mating season and are solely focused on finding a receptive mate.” That is the “main reason why there are so many deer and car collisions this time of year,” Lefland said.
“Hunting season” also “brings reports of injured deer,” Halm said.
Even most migratory birds have already flown south for warmer weather, Lefland said that some animals haven’t changed their habits recently, according to Lefland. Fox and coyote do not “change their behavior too much in response to winter,” Lefland said.
However, “coyote and deer are active due to the breeding season,” which means “small dogs, free roaming cats remain at risk for coyote.”
Lefland said that the changing climate “is having a direct impact on the behavior and survival of many animals.” The “more frequent and severe weather events that cause power outages and damages to homes may also be impacting our wildlife” as “animal dens may flood and trees with bird nests may be toppled.”
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