MONROE, CT — A mamma bear and her cub, as well as another large adult bear, were spotted multiple times in Monroe during a busy few days in town for these majestic wildlife creatures in mid July.
Animal Control Officer Ed Risko reported that these were black bears, one of which is not tagged.
Bear number 217, with her one remaining cub, Risko said, was seen on Knollwood Street and crossing the Rails to Trails property on July 16. The bear has been in Monroe before, said Risko, adding that bears repeat their travels where they remember finding food.
The bear was also seen on a porch investigating cat litter on July 16. Risko said bears return to properties where they find food and will explore anything and everything new to a location they have previously visited.
“They’re intelligent animals. They’re attracted to anything,” Risko said.
Food left out for dogs, cats or wildlife attracts bears, said Risko, who advises people keep food inside.
Risko added that bears mark their territory by clawing or rubbing their backs on trees to leave their mark or scent.
The other bear was seen in multiple areas of town on July 19. “This Bear started coming across town from the northeast side, East Village Road, Squire Road at 8:30 a.m. and Camelot Drive/Route 110 at 9 a.m. — covered one mile in about 30 minutes — heading southwest into Trumbull,” Risko said.
The bear was reported in Trumbull a couple of times after venturing four miles from Route 110 over the course of three hours. The bear was last seen at Porters Hill Road/Whitney Avenue in Trumbull, Risko said.
Bear tips
Here is some information from the Monroe Police Department on how to avoid attracting bears:
- Remove bird feeders from late March through November. If a bear visits a bird feeder in winter, remove the feeder.
- Add a few capfuls of ammonia to trash bags and garbage cans to mask food odors. Keep trash bags in a container with a tight lid and store in a garage or shed. Wait until the morning of collection before bringing out trash.
- Do not leave pet food outside overnight and store livestock food in airtight containers.
- Do not put meats or sweet-smelling fruit rinds in compost piles. Lime can be sprinkled on the compost pile to reduce the smell and discourage bears.
- Thoroughly clean grills after use.
- Never intentionally feed bears. Bears that associate food with people may become aggressive and dangerous. This may lead to personal injury, property damage, and the need to destroy problem animals.
- Encourage your neighbors to take similar precautions. If you see a bear on your property you can either leave the bear alone and wait for it to leave or make loud noises from a safe distance in an attempt to scare the bear away.
- Bears know how to open unlocked car doors, so keep your doors locked.
