Black Bear Pays State Police In Tolland A Friendly Visit

TOLLAND, CT — Connecticut State Police - Troop C in Tolland got quite the surprise Thursday when a black bear showed up near the office. Fortunately, he didn't cause too much trouble for officers but joked that they did have to "turn him away."

"A fingerprint applicant showed up to Troop C today, and unfortunately it did not have a check or money order to pay for it," Troop C said on Facebook. "We couldn't bear to send him away, but we don't accept cash or credit!"

Following the sighting, Tolland Animal Control said it has received multiple calls per day lately from residents who've had bird feeder damage or have seen a bear. The agency encourages people to be mindful of them when out and about.

Actual photo of the bear spotted in Tolland on Thursday:

"If a bear appears sick, injured, or aggressive, you may report to Connecticut DEEP at 860-424-3333 or if extremely urgent, call Connecticut State Police. If it appears healthy, please enjoy the beauty of our resident bears from a distance," animal control advised on its Facebook page..

According to CT DEEP, black bears are generally shy and secretive and usually fearful of humans. However, if they regularly find food near houses and areas of human activity, they can lose that fear. Unlike grizzly bears, black bears are rarely aggressive toward people.

Tolland Animal Control used Thursday's bear sighting to offer the following safety tips:

• When walking in the woods, you can make noises (sing, talk, or bells all work) so the bears that may be nearby have time to run.
• Dogs should be leashed and not allowed to chase bears as it may cause the bear to become defensive.
• Don’t feed birds during bear season, especially if you have a known bear in your area.
• Do not leave pet food outdoors or put food out in compost piles.
• Do your best to never corner/trap a bear.
• Never leave small animals outside unattended.

Anyone with a bear question can always call Tolland Animal Control at 860-871-3676. Bear sightings can also be reported to the state's wildlife division at this link.