'Large Bear' Spotted In Derby: City

DERBY, CT — A "large bear" was spotted Monday in Derby, and area residents are advised to keep an eye on children and small pets, according to city officials.

In a news release, Town Clerk Marc Garofalo said the city was notified that a large bear was seen around 4 p.m. at the corner of Selma Avenue and David Humphreys Road.

"We want to notify all residents of the area to keep a close eye on your children and small pets and secure any trash receptacles," Garofalo said. "Please be safe and have a great evening."

A number of bear sightings and encounters have recently been reported in Connecticut.

On Oct. 17, a person asleep on a porch in Rocky Hill reported waking up to find a bear, which then ran off, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.

Earlier this month, Easton police said a "gorgeous but massive" bear had been reported in town.

Wethersfield police also issued a bear warning in early October after receiving "numerous calls" related to bear sightings in town.

While not drawing any direct conclusions to any recent bear sightings in Connecticut, DEEP Spokesperson James Fowler told Patch earlier this month that bears enter a biological state called "hyperphagia" in the fall months, during which they forage for up to 20 hours a day to build fat reserves for the winter.

According to Fowler, the animals can consume upwards of 20,000 calories a day during this period, which is about 10 times their normal intake.

"When human-sourced foods are available, it's much easier," Fowler said. "Just one bird feeder full of sunflower seeds or a single garbage container with leftovers can provide a bear with a full day's worth of calories in less than an hour."

Additional guidance and resources on living with black bears can also be found on the DEEP website.