Black Bear Spotted Near Strawberry Hill Apartment Complex In Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — Residents at 70 Strawberry Hill Ave. in Stamford had a bear-y interesting visitor Monday night.

A large black bear was spotted in a tree by a dumpster near the complex's parking lot around 7:30 p.m.

The Stamford Police Department was called, and several officers responded as a small crowd gathered to watch. After a couple hours of observing the bear, the officers left and the bear was gone by morning.

Bear sightings are very rare this close to downtown, said Stamford Animal Control Manager Tilford Cobb.

"We have not had any bears in that area. We have had them as low as around Rippowam Middle School on High Ridge Road," he said.

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Cobb said it's that time of year when bears begin to wander, look for territories and forage for food. They usually run away from humans, but if approached by a bear, Cobb said it's important to make yourself seem larger, make noise, create distance and throw things in the bear's direction to distract it.

"Call us and report it to us so we know at least where the bears are so we can keep track of them," he said.

Residents can also call the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Wildlife Division (CT DEEP) to report bear sightings.

The bear population around Connecticut has grown dramatically since the 1980s, according to CT DEEP Wildlife Division. So far in 2022, there have been 1,701 sightings throughout the state.

As the population continues to increase, CT DEEP said young bears are especially seen in residential areas.

Food attractants near homes can cause bears to grow habituated to humans and disturbances, such as dogs and other noises. Bears are attracted by bird feeders, garbage, outdoor pet food, compost piles, fruit trees, and berry-producing shrubs, according to CT DEEP Wildlife.

To avoid attracting bears:

• Remove bird feeders from late March through November. If a bear visits a bird feeder in winter, remove the feeder.
• Wait until the morning of collection before bringing out trash. Add a few capfuls of ammonia to trash bags and garbage cans to mask food odors. Keep trash bags in a container with a tight lid and store in a garage or shed.
• Do not leave pet food outside overnight. Store livestock food in airtight containers.
• Do not put meats or sweet-smelling fruit rinds in compost piles. Lime can be sprinkled on the compost pile to reduce the smell and discourage bears.
• Thoroughly clean grills after use or store in a garage or shed.
• Never intentionally feed bears. Bears that associate food with people may become aggressive and dangerous. This may lead to personal injury, property damage, and the need to destroy problem animals.
• Encourage your neighbors to take similar precautions.