Young Black Bear Sighted In Farmington Tree [PHOTOS]

FARMINGTON, CT — Farmington's recent elevation to the top municipality in Connecticut for bear sightings was substantiated early this week with the discovery of a young black bear stuck in a tree behind a Circle Drive home in the Unionville section of town.

Homeowner Lisa Lipshez said the bear appeared to be stuck in the tree for at least 30 minutes, then freed itself and sat at the base of the tree for about 15 more minutes before wandering off into a wooded area behind the house.

According to www.bearsmart.com, if you encounter a bear, "Identify yourself by speaking in a calm, appeasing tone. Back away slowly, preferably in the direction you came. Walk, don’t run, and keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it will react. In most cases, the bear will flee."

Officials from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection recently released updated black bear sighting statistics, charting from Oct. 4, 2017 to Sept. 25, 2018 and including municipalities with at least one sighting. Farmington, with 458 sightings, supplanted Avon as the town with the most reported instances in Connecticut.

Photo credits: Lisa Lipshez

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