Look Out For Bears, Fairfield Officials Warn After Sightings

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield officials are warning residents to be on the lookout for bears after several sightings in the Lake Mohegan area.

Witnesses have reported seeing a lone bear as well as a mother bear and cub near the lake, according to a Facebook post Tuesday from Fairfield Animal Control.

“Bear sightings in this area are fairly common this time of year,” the agency said. “Most bear sightings are brief and the bears are usually not dangerous to people.”

There have been seven recent black bear sightings in town, according to a map maintained by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. In late May, a bear was captured on video snacking out of the bird feeders in a yard on Hemlock Hills Road North in Greenfield Hill, News12 reported.

A bear was also spotted Sunday at several locations in northern Westport, including at the Westport Weston Family YMCA, according to police.

“Bears are usually looking for food and if you limit food sources it may limit or stop the bear from approaching your property,” according to Fairfield Animal Control.

Residents should minimize access to potential bear food sources, such as bird feeders, pet food, garbage, compost, grills, and fruit bushes or trees, animal control said. People should not approach the animals or try to feed them.

“If you see a bear it should move along in a short amount of time,” according to animal control. “Making noise from a safe distance may scare a bear back into a wooded area.”

Anyone who sees a bear in Fairfield is asked to 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.