Student Getting Off School Bus Encounters 2 Bears In West Hartford: Report

WEST HARTFORD, CT — What would you do if you encountered not one but two black bears?

Well, that situation really happened to a 13-year-old student, who exited the school bus and came across two black bears, according to her mother, Jeannette Dardenne, via NBC Connecticut. And there's a photo that shows the black bear right in front of the student. (Click here to view the NBC Connecticut photo and to video of their story).

Dardenne told NBC CT that her daughter phoned her and "said in a really calm voice, 'mom there is a bear in front of me,' and I said 'OK,' and she kind of paused and said 'there are two bears in front of me." The bears finally left the area.

This latest bear encounter comes two days after the town of West Hartford issued its own bear warning.

Town officials said black bears are becoming increasingly common in Connecticut as the population grows and expands. According to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, there have been 3,558 bear sightings across Connecticut in 2025. There have been 329 bear sightings in West Hartford already in 2025. (You can view the town-by-town bear sightings by clicking here).

Two of the more notable bear incidents this year included a bear climbing up a tree at the Westfarms Mall and another bear shocking a West Hartford resident in his backyard on Memorial Day weekend.

Read More: Bear Surprises Local Resident In Back Yard: Report'

• Tree-Climbing Bear Greets Shoppers At Mall: Reports'
• CT Bear Population Expands: Town-By-Town Numbers'

The primary contributing factor to bear nuisance problems is the presence of easily accessible food sources near homes and businesses.

Fed bears can become habituated and lose their fear of humans.

Bears should never be fed, either intentionally or accidentally.

Connecticut residents should take the following simple steps to avoid conflicts and problems with black bears:

• Eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed. To make trash unpalatable, add ammonia.
• Keep your garage and residence doors closed to keep bears from entering your home.
• Remove bird feeders and bird food from late March through December.
• Eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed. To make trash unpalatable, add ammonia.
• Clean and store grills in a garage or shed after use. (Propane cylinders should be stored outside.)
• Keep dogs on a short leash and under control. A roaming dog might be perceived as a threat to a bear or its young.
• DON'T feed bears. Bears 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.
• DON'T store leftover birdseed or recyclables on a porch or screened sunroom, as bears can smell them and will rip screens to get at them.

If a bear is in a densely populated area, contact the DEEP Wildlife Division (860-424-3011, Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM) or DEEP Dispatch (860-424-3333, 24 hours) to report the sighting and obtain advice. The mere presence of a bear does not necessitate a problem. The department monitors bear activity in developed areas in coordination with local public safety officials.

To report a bear sighting, click on this link.

Patch editor Brian McCready contributed to this story.