VIDEO: DEEP Issues Statement About Bear Encounter Caught on Tape

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In the wake of Friday’s videotaped encounter in Burlington between a woman and a bear, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued the following statement Monday:

“The encounter Friday afternoon between a bear and a woman hiking at the Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area is raising important questions about how DEEP is managing a growing bear population.

Our wildlife biologists, who talked to the woman and analyzed video she took, expressed serious concerns about the behavior of the bear. Our experts said that by following the woman for an extended period of time, circling her, and even putting its mouth on her calf, the bear was engaged in what they call “bold and aggressive behavior.” They also said other actions the bear took – such as pursuing the woman whenever she turned her back, stomping, posturing, and jaw popping – were typical of a bear that is tracking and testing potential prey. To the untrained eye the bear’s interactions with the woman may look fairly innocent and almost playful – but it is clear that they were not.

It should also be noted that this was not DEEP’s first encounter with this bear. Information on tags that could be seen on the bear show that it has already been captured, tranquilized and relocated two times: once from along the perimeter fence at Bradley International Airport and again after showing up at a yard in Granby and breaking its way into the home there. In June, this bear also attempted to follow a woman into a building in Windsor.

Given the incident on Friday and the previous behavior of the bear, DEEP will euthanize the animal if it can be located. This is not a decision made lightly. DEEP staff has the utmost respect for the wildlife of our state. In fact, wildlife biologists and state Environmental Conservation Police Officers are called out many times each year to rescue bears from situations where they are stuck in unsuitable densely populated areas – posing a danger to both the animal and to the people who live or work there. In these cases, the bears are tranquilized and relocated back into the woods.

There are occasions, like this one, however, when stronger action must be taken to protect the safety of the public. While we appreciate your concerns, imagine the public outcry that would develop if no effort was made to locate and euthanize this bear and in another future encounter it actually harms someone.

There are increasing numbers of bear in our state and they are expanding in range as younger bears seek their own territory. There are now reports of bear sightings in virtually every part of Connecticut. This is going to lead to more interactions between bears and people and more discussion of the best way to address the growing population.

DEEP is currently engaged in a detailed study of the population trends of this species with the University of Connecticut. The results of that study will aid the agency in developing a management strategy for the future.

For more information about black bears in Connecticut and advice on how to respond to the presence of a bear, please visit www.ct.gov/deep/blackbear.

Photo taken from video by Stephanie Rivkin