Video: Massive Bear Spotted in Farmington

A black bear was spotted walking near houses on Bailey Court in Farmington.

NBC Connecticut’s George Colli tweeted a photo of the bear Wednesday morning.

Patch reader Joanie Bartucca said she saw two bears in her backyard last night on Redcoat Lane.

A Farmington police officer responded to the scene today and helped direct the bear back into the woods, said Lt. Colin Ryan, police spokesman.

Also on Patch:

• Ex-Marine Celebrates New Pot Law in Philly By Lighting Up Joint at City Hall
  
• Real Housewives Star Teresa Giudice to Serve Prison Sentence in Danbury
  
• Death Threats Aimed at Boy, 11, Who Bagged Rare Albino Deer
  

Farmington Police get bear calls almost everyday during this time of the year, Ryan said.

Bears in residential areas generally are only captured and relocated if they are deemed a nuisance, said Dwayne Gardner, spokesman for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

“Ordinarily, we just prefer to have them go on their way and back into the woods,” he said.

DEEP tags bears when they are captured and relocated. Bear cubs are tagged before they emerge from their dens. The agency also monitors the sow and takes body measurements.

The bear population in the state is estimated to be upwards of 500, but DEEP is involved in a study with the University of Connecticut to more accurately determine the number, Gardner said.

Bear sightings can be reported to DEEP on their website or by calling 860-675-8130 Monday through Friday during normal business hours. After hours calls can be reported by calling 860-424-3333.

Image from Youtube screen shot.

Have a news tip? Email rich.scinto@patch.com. You can also post your own news, events and announcements on Patch by following these directions. Curious about how our new commenting platform, Disqus, works? Learn more about it here and start interacting with your neighbors on Patch.