There’s been a rash of bear sightings throughout Branford over the past several days. Up until this week, the sightings were sporadic, but since the end of last week, bears have been sighted along Alps Road/Burban Drive/RobyCourt/Florence Road (Saturday morning), Palmer Wood Circle and in the vicinity of Fire Headquarters, Lake Saltonsall, and Mill Plain/Short Rocks Roads.
Captain Geoff Morgan of the Branford Police Department issued a B‑Informed message Monday night mentioning the Windmill Hill Road/Damascus Road area and referred residents to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection website.
He said there have been a number of bear sightings throughout the last week, perhaps a family of them. “I’m not expert,” Morgan said.
“People are calling in all the time,” he said. “There’s a re-emergence of wild animals as people are more concerned about habitat.”
He added, “There’s not a real lot we’ll be doing. There’s a specialized group of people offering advice… we’re not rural.”
According to the DEEP, from July 15, 2015 to Sunday, July 10, there were 14 reported sightings. Of course, that’s a drop in the bucket compared to Avon, which reported 543 sightings. Closer to home Guilford has also reported 14, East Haven, 10, and North Branford, 3. The DEEP website provides a form for reporting bear sightings. Or you can call 860 – 424-3333, DEEP’s 24-hour hotline.
Laura Burban, director of the Cosgrove Animal Shelter, said, “They are out and about – they’ve always been there – they’re out because of construction. For example, the Branford Hill storage units encroaches on their area. There may be two or three different ones, she said.
Don’t Take a Selfie
“It’s part of living with nature,” she added. “People have to be safe and mindful.
“I know people are excited,” Burban added. “But do not approach them or try to take selfies.”
Burban recommends contacting DEEP or the shelter if they’re aggressive, but she said they’re normally not aggressive.
“They can travel as far as 100 miles,” she said. “But they’ll stay within 15-mile radius.”
She noted that black bears like fruits nuts seeds and plants, hence their attraction to bird feeders.
The DEEP website also offers a list of dos and don’ts concerning black bears:
Do remove birdfeeders and bird food from late March through November.
Do eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed. Add ammonia to trash to make it unpalatable.
Do clean and store grills in a garage or shed after use.
Don’t intentionally feed bears. Bears that become accustomed to finding food near your home may become “problem” bears.
Don’t approach or try to get closer to a bear to get a photo or video.
Don’t leave pet food outside overnight.
Don’t add meat or sweets to a compost pile.
DEEP emphasizes that bears should never be fed because fed bears lose their fear of humans. As tempting as it is to take photos or videos, residents are urged to leave bears alone and make sure they have an avenue of escape. Usually the bear will just wander back into a more secluded area. Be sure to keep dogs on a leash and so not leave them unattended outside, especially at dawn and dusk, the most common time for appearances.
A bear with an ear tag has been caught and tagged as part of a project researching the state’s population; it is not a problem bear.
Myrna Finger’s daughter Debbie Basler of Palmer Wood Circle sent her photos of the bear, which she posted on the Growing Up in Branford Facebook group.
Debbie Basler Photo
“I am so shocked,” she said. “She [her daughter] has a chocolate lab, which she will really have to watch carefully and also keep the slider closed as I am sure it could come through the screen. She has a couple of small vegetable gardens. He ate all the Romaine in the one garden. Scary situation as our daughter is up early and outside at 5 – 6 with the dog and watering.”
Rosie Lynch Pellizzari, who now lives in rural Massachusetts and sees black bears often, noted – wisely – on the Growing Up in Branford group: “Bears are not predators, they are scavengers. They will not eat your pets, or your children. They are motivated by two things — food and fear. If a bear comes in your yard and there is nothing to eat they will move on. If they are eating something, give them a wide berth; they will leave when done… Never put things out to tempt a bear to come calling, a fed bear is eventually a dead bear.”
She continued: “Most of the time, shouting or even just slamming a door will make them run. Bear attacks are extremely rare, and in most cases, the bear was being teased or harassed. If mama feels threatened she will send her cubs up a tree. An angry or threatened bear will shake their head and make a chuffing noise. A really mad bear will charge, but the charges are usually fake. They are, however, a good clue that you should leave.”
Blast a Horn
Pellizzari adds, “If you run or hike in areas where bears are known to be, buy a small pocket sized boat horn. A good blast will send them running, trust me.
“The bear has no great desire to meet you, they are just hungry, and at times, curious. Most of the time they’re out at dawn and dusk, but that’s not a given. Seeing a bear should be considered an honor and a privilege, I find it thrilling. So bring in any food sources, keep your distance and snap lots of photos – let’s keep everyone safe!”
A reader also reiterates that photos should be taken in a safe manner using zoom or long lenses.
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Having lived in Branford for over forty years, I can tell you bears have not "always been there". I used to hike through woods as a young man all over, from behind my home in the Damascus Rd. area, to Young's woods, the supply pond area, and so on. This is a new phenomena, and something I feel has to be dealt with more forcefully. Once God forbid something happens, then the powers that be will move into action, the idea that children stay inside, late evening walks or sunbathing is out, along with cookouts and whatever else is to me ridiculous. Why not convert Manhattan Island back to forest land? How many bears and deer and raccoons were displaced in the development of New York City? I feel having large black bears running around suburban Branford Ct. is a recipe for disaster.