Bear Sighting Reports Increase In Norwalk: Police

NORWALK, CT — An increase in bear sightings have recently been reported by Norwalk residents, according to police.

In a Facebook post Friday, police said reports of bear sightings have become increasingly common in Connecticut and are on the rise.

The department also provided a video of a bear digging through trash, which can be viewed here.

Police urge residents who see a bear in their yard not to approach it. Instead, residents are asked to go inside their home, garage or other structure.

The department also provided the following tips for residents to keep bears away from their properties:

• Cover your grill/ smoker when not in use and clean drip pans frequently.
• Clean trash containers and recycling bins often to reduce odors.
• Store garbage in secure, airtight containers inside a garage or other enclosed area.
• Put garbage out the morning of pick up (not the night before).
• Do not feed birds when bears are active in the area.
• Feed your pets indoors and do not place food outside for stray animals or wildlife.
• Do not place meat, bones, fish, oil, grease, dairy products, eggshells or large amounts of fruit in the compost.

Anyone who sees a bear in Norwalk is asked to contact police at 203-854-3000 and report it to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection at deep.wildlife@ct.gov.

More information about bear sightings is available here.