In Winsted, Connecticut, a surprising scene unfolded as an adult black bear and cub found themselves locked inside a car. The distressed bears caused chaos inside the vehicle, with the horn blaring and the radio blasting. A second cub was seen running around outside the car in apparent distress, while the vehicle owner quickly contacted state environmental conservation police for help on July 15. When the officers arrived, they opened a door allowing the bears, along with a third bear, to escape into the safety of the woods. Unfortunately, the car’s interior bore the brunt of the bears’ rampage and was left completely destroyed.
Documented in photos and video by the car’s owner, the incident shed light on the increasing black bear population in Connecticut. There have been three bear-related episodes reported by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in the past week, highlighting the growing presence of these animals in the state.
One such incident involved a woman in Cheshire who was bitten by a black bear in her backyard. Although she sustained minor injuries, she declined treatment. Subsequently, environmental conservation police euthanized the bear responsible, which was later taken for testing. Another incident took place in Torrington, where a nearly 500-pound black bear was struck and killed by a car on a highway.
While bear encounters like these were once rare in Connecticut, they have now become more commonplace as the black bear population continues to thrive in the state. From bears breaking into cars and homes to non-fatal attacks on humans, these animals have been making their presence known. State officials are urging residents to keep their car doors locked and refrain from providing bears with access to human-sourced food to prevent such encounters.
The resurgence of black bears in the state dates back to the 1980s, with an estimated 1,000 to 1,200 bears now roaming Connecticut. Sightings have been reported in all 169 towns in recent years, with a higher concentration of bears in the northwestern corner of the state. With the bear population on the rise, it is essential for residents to take precautions to coexist safely with these animals.
