Guess it's not hibernation season after all. Even though it's wintertime and we are dealing with very cold weather, black bears are being spotted and apparently do stay active during parts of winter and forage for food.
Here is a Video from News 12 of Black Bears spotted in Connecticut.
Unfortunately Black Bear sightings in Connecticut are happening sooner in 2023 than many would think. A bear was seen on North Wilton Road in New Canaan, Connecticut in mid-January, two days in a row.
According to Fox 61 "The New Canaan Police Department is advising residents of several reports of a bear roaming on North Wilton Road. Even though it's winter, black bears are not "true hibernators", according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). However, their body temperature lowers and their heart rate slows down when they den in the winter."
"In Connecticut, black bears can remain active for periods throughout winter, especially if there is little snow cover and mild temperatures," DEEP says of black bears on their online fact sheet. New Canaan police ask residents to report bear sightings to the town's Animal Control and to DEEP."
The online fact sheet states "Black bears are increasingly common in Connecticut. Reports of bear sightings, even in heavily populated residential areas, are on the rise. The Wildlife Division has also seen an increase in the number of reported problems with black bears. All residents should take time to make themselves “Bear Aware” and learn about best practices to both reduce the likelihood of an encounter with a bear and know what to do in the event of an encounter." Taken from the DEEP website
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