Bear Breaks Bird Feeder In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — An apparently hungry bear helped itself to a bird feeder Friday in Fairfield, according to News12.

The animal was caught on a Nest camera breaking a bird feeder at a home on Stonewall Lane in Greenfield Hill, according to News12, which reported the bear had tags in its ears.

The incident followed several sightings Thursday in the Fairfield neighborhood that involved a bear with ear tags. The bear seen Thursday was believed to be the same animal that crossed through multiple residential properties Wednesday in northern Westport, putting its paw on a man and entering an empty sun porch, Fairfield Animal Control confirmed last week.

Friday’s bird feeder take-down follows a similar incident in late May, when News12 reported that a bear was captured on video eating from bird feeders at another Greenfield Hill home, this time on Hemlock Hills Road North.

There have been 24 recent bear sightings in Fairfield, according to a map maintained by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

To avoid attracting bears, residents should minimize access to potential food sources, such as bird feeders, pet food, garbage, compost, grills, and fruit bushes or trees. People should not approach bears or try to feed them, and should instead make noise from a safe distance in order to scare the animals into a wooded area.

Anyone who sees a bear in Fairfield can contact animal control at 203-254-4857. If the animal is behaving aggressively or refusing to leave a residential area, people should call the police department at 203-254-4800.

For more information, visit portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Nuisance-Wildlife/Living-with-Black-Bears.