Many Report Bear Sightings in Central Connecticut

Last year it was , this year it's bears.

It seems like each week there is another new report of a bear sighting in central Connecticut.

A on Interstate 91 last week. A for a green snack in a backyard in Meriden recently and another one lounged in a before scooting off into the woods. have been reported in the region around Cheshire.

There have even been confirmed and unconfirmed sightings of .

According to the state Department of Environmental Protection here is the breakdown of reports of bear activity in this area from June 26, 2011 to June 24, 2012:

• Berlin, 2
• Cheshire, 2 (the Cheshire sightings in June have yet to be recorded)
• Meriden, 0 (the sightings from last week have not been recorded yet)
• Rocky Hill, 0
• Southington, 8

To learn how to react if you see a bear and to reduce the likelihood of an encounter, read the DEEP's Black Bear Dos and Don'ts tip sheet.

Have you seen a bear in your area? Did you capture it in an image or video? If so, share your footage or stills with other readers on Patch by clicking on the Upload Photos and Videos button.