State To Tranquilize, Remove Black Bear Up Tree In Danbury Neighborhood

Mayor Mark Boughton Tweeted a photo of a bear up a tree on Friday in a residential area in the city, along with a photo of a DEEP employee preparing to tranquilize the bear and remove it from the area.    

The incident was unfolding on Lawncrest Road, off Lake Avenue. The area is near the intersection of Route 7 and I-84 in a residential area just west of downtown. On Thursday, Boughton said there were five or six bears roaming around Danbury, with sightings in the Chambers Road area near Candlewood Lake and the Morris Street/Highland Avenue area. 

Boughton sent out a robo-call to homes in Danbury, urging residents to stay away from the bears and to refrain from feeding them.  

"Bottom line? Common sense prevails. Stay away from them, don't feed them, take in your bird feeder, and garbage," he posted on Facebook.

The City of Danbury reminded residents of tips of dealing with bears near your home from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection :

• Bears are attracted to the garbage, pet food, compost piles, fruit trees, and birdfeeders.
• Do remove birdfeeders and bird food from late March through November.
• Do eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed. Add ammonia to trash to make it unpalatable.
• Do clean and store grills in a garage or shed after use.
• Don't intentionally feed bears. Bears that become 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.

Black bears are becoming increasingly common in Connecticut as the population continues to grow and expand, the state said. Bear sightings, even in heavily populated residential areas, are on the rise.

If a bear is seen in your town or neighborhood, leave it alone, DEEP said. In most situations, if left alone and given a means of escape, the bear will usually wander into more secluded areas.

Do not approach the bear to take photos or video. Often a bear will climb a tree to avoid people.

If a bear is in a densely populated area, contact the DEEP Wildlife Division 860-424-3011 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or DEEP Dispatch at 860-424-3333, 24/7 to report the sighting and obtain advice.

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