Simsbury's Bear Crisis Topic Of Special Forum

SIMSBURY, CT — Following two recent incidents of bears barging into Simsbury residents' homes, the Simsbury Police Department is hosting a forum next week on bear awareness.

The event will take place Monday, July 1, at the Henry James Middle School auditorium from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The school is at 155 Firetown Road.

There, the SPD will host Simsbury Animal Control Officer Deb Clark, state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection wildlife biologist Kyle Testerman, and DEEP law enforcement officers to discuss the bear situation in Simsbury and the state.

"The program will cover in-depth black bear facts, preventing bear encounters, what to do if you encounter a bear, common misconceptions and steps you can take to better cohabitate with our wildlife and so much more," wrote the SPD.

Not even halfway through 2024, Simsbury has had more than its fair share of bear encounters in town, including two particularly frightening ones.

In May, a bear stumbled into a home on Old Canal Way via an open window on the back deck and it ransacked the place in search of food.

The homeowner safely exited the house and took safety nearby while Simsbury and DEEP police arrived.

No one was hurt except the bear, as DEEP police had to euthanize it after it left the house because it might have represented a future threat.

Then, about a month later in June, a mother bear and three babies entered a home on Old Farms Road and made itself home.

In this case, DEEP officials determined the bears could be tranquilized and relocated instead of euthanized, so the family of bears was spared.

Those interested in going are asked to RSVP to Simsbury ACO Deb Clark by calling 860-658-3110 or emailing to dclark@pd.simsbury-ct.gov.

For more information on black bears in Connecticut and best practices to reduce conflicts with bears, click on this link.

From June 12: 'Bear Family Barges Into Simsbury Home'

From May 24: 'Bear Invades Simsbury Home Friday Afternoon: Police'