Bear Spotted in Naugatuck: Police

Naugatuck police say there has been a bear sighting in town.

“OK, Here is the Bear status - First off, we are NOT going to harm the bear in any way!! - so lets put that notion to rest!!,” wrote Police Lt. Bryan Cammarata on Facebook. “The plan is to let him do his thing and find his way back to the woods...in fact we believe he has already done so...and yes, I’m calling it “he” ...I don’t know why!...

“We want to just make people aware he was sighted in the Maple Hill Road area and that residents take the typical bear precautions such as:

• If spotted - please keep a safe distance away
• Bears rarely attack cats or dogs - but please keep dogs on a leash as a bear may perceive a dog as a threat
• Announce your presence by shouting and waving your arms or walk SLOWLY away.
• NEVER attempt to feed or attract bears

Cammarata said earlier Thursday that the black bear was roaming off of Maple Hill Road near Mulberry. Officers have spotted the bear running through yards near Sunburst and Corn Tassel and the latest on Morning Mist earlier on Thursday.

“We are asking residents in the area to make sure they have doors closed to their homes and to please not approach our estimated 300 lb friend!,” Cammarata said.

More Bear Stories on Patch:

• Bear Spotted in Shelton
• Video: Shelton Bear Wanders Out for an Evening Stroll
• ‘Shelton’ Black Bear Spotted in Stratford
• Listen: Frantic 911 Calls as a Bear Chases People in Granby
• Map: New Bear Sighting Reported in Shelton
• Bear That Chased Two in Granby Euthanized, Being Examined at UConn
• Bear Spotted in Newtown
• Photos: Bear and Cubs Spotted in Southington Backyard
• Photos: Young Black Bear Visits Partridge Lane Home in Darien
• Bear Observed on a Darien Resident’s Rear Deck
• Bears Spotted in Avon
• Massive Bear Spotted Near Southington
• Photos: Shelton Bear Spotted Again

Bears are becoming more common in Connecticut as former farmlands have reverted to wooded areas. At one time bear sightings were uncommon outside of the northwest corner, but corridors of wooded areas have made it easier to bears to travel to different parts of the state.

If you see a bear:

• Enjoy it from a distance.
• Advertise your presence by shouting and waving your arms or walk slowly away.
• Never attempt to feed or attract bears.

Report bear sightings to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Wildlife Division, at (860) 675-8130.

Bears are attracted to bird feeders, garbage cans, pet food and any other easy sources of food.

Bears that become comfortable around people lose their natural fear and can become more aggressive, according to the National Park Service. The service also recommends people in groups gather together to present a more intimidating figure.

For more information about the Connecticut bear population and measures to take to avoid attracting bears, click here.

Patch file photo of a bear, and NOT the bear spotted in Naugatuck