Black Bear Sightings Reported In Stratford

STRATFORD, CT — Black bears have made multiple appearances in Stratford, Patch users recently reported.

A bear was seen last week on a deck on Fox Hill Road, user Jeanne Horvath posted on Patch, while another Patch user referenced two bear sightings in the north end around St. Mark’s Church, plus scatological evidence in recent months in a backyard.

While only two sightings in Stratford were reported to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection between June 2019 and March 2020, much of the state’s landscape is suitable for black bears, according to the department. Connecticut has experienced a surge in the bear population between the 1980s and early 2000s that is expected to continue.

Residents who see a bear are advised to shout and wave their arms or walk away slowly, and refrain from feeding or attracting the animal. To report a bear sighting to the state wildlife division, visit bit.ly/3dTyyyE or call 860-424-3011. For more information on how to handle bears near your home, visit portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Black-Bear.