Tonight, just after 8 p.m., a male resident of Stony Creek reported possible bear activity in the vicinty of West Point Road. stated that the resident heard noises in his garage.
The report comes after another resident, also male, reported a bear sighting in his backyard last night, about 1/2 mile from tonight's account according to police. The resident who reported the sighting last night said the bear was eating, stated police.
The residents were referred to the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. Bear sightings can be reported to the DEEP online here. So far no Branford sightings have been posted. From September 8, 2010 to the present there have been 303 black bear sightings in Connecticut according to the DEEP; Avon and Torrington both have 21 reported sightings each – the two top towns in the state.
If you see a bear near your home, the DEEP suggests these dos and don'ts:
Bears are attracted to the garbage, pet food, compost piles, fruit trees and bird feeders around houses.
- DO make bird feeders and bird food inaccessible by discontinuing the feeding of birds from late March through November or by hanging feeders at least ten feet above the ground and six feet away from tree trunks.
- DO eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed. Add ammonia to trash to make it unpalatable.
- DO clean and store grills away after use.
- DON'T intentionally feed bears. Bears that become accustomed to finding food near your home may become "problem" bears.
- DON'T leave pet food outside overnight.
- DON'T add meat or sweets to a compost pile.
