Black Bear Spotted In New Canaan: Animal Control

NEW CANAAN, CT — Black bear sightings were reported this week in New Canaan near the Merritt Parkway, according to a town animal control officer.

In an email to Patch, Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm confirmed a sighting was reported Tuesday in the area of Old Stamford Road around 8:30 a.m.

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Later that evening, a bear was spotted on East Cross Road. The animal also destroyed a bird feeder and ate the seeds from it, Halm said.

Halm noted bear sightings are not unusual at this time of year and will likely continue, as spring is a very active time for bears.

She also advised residents to educate themselves on bear behavior.

"Take bird feeders in at night," Halm said in an email. "Don't feed any wild animals. Learn hazing techniques and be ready!"

This week's black bear sighting was not the first to be reported this year in New Canaan. In February, a "very large" black bear was spotted in the northern area of Smith Ridge Road near Grace Farms.

Prior to that, a black bear broke into a chicken coop on Lantern Ridge Road in November and killed two chickens. That incident was reported to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, according to Halm.