Bear Warning Issued In Manchester Amid Weekend Sightings

MANCHESTER, CT — A bear warning has been issued for an area of Manchester after several sightings were reported over the weekend, police and animal control officials said.

The sightings were in the of Hackmatack Street, police said. Animal control officials said it appears a family of bears is moving through the area.

"Please remember not to approach or provoke the bears. The recommended course of action is to make lots of noise from a distance to frighten bears into leaving the area" authorities said in a statement accompanying the warning.

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection officials said that the state has more than 7,000 bear sightings annually because many homes are in or near bear habitat.

The bear population is "healthy and increasing" in Connecticut, they said.

Bears spend time in neighborhoods because food sources are abundant and easy to access and will come back to a location if convinced the food will be there, DEEP officials said. Bears that are attracted to human-associated food sources may lose their fear of people, DEEP Officials said.

Getting used to the bears has arguably become easy, officials said.

Sightings can be reported to the DEEP here.

Here are some bear dos and don'ts from the DEEP:

• Bears are attracted to garbage, pet food, compost piles, fruit trees, and bird feeders, so DO be aware.
• DO remove birdfeeders and bird food from late March through November.
• 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 in a garage or shed after use. (Propane cylinders should be stored outside.)
• DON'T feed bears. Bears that become accustomed to finding food near your home may become "problem" bears.
• DON'T approach or try to get closer to a bear to get a photo or video.
• DON'T leave pet food outside overnight.
• DON'T add meat or sweets to a compost pile.
• DON'T store leftover bird seed or recyclables in a porch or screened sunroom as bears can smell these items and will rip screens to get at them.

DEEP Officials said if a bear is seen in a neighborhood, leave it alone. In most situations, if left alone and given an avenue for escape, the bear will usually wander back into more secluded areas, they added.

Resident should keep dogs under control, stay away from the bear and advise others to do the same, DEEP officials said, adding that people should not approach the bear to take a photo or video.

Often a bear will climb a tree to avoid people and a crowd of bystanders will only stress the bear and also add the risk that the bear will be chased into traffic or the crowd of people, DEEP officials said.

See more about bears in Connecticut here.