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The Norwalk Department of Police Service is encouraging anyone who sees a bear in Norwalk to keep their distance and call the Norwalk Police Department at 203-854-3051.
The Norwalk Police Department also issued helpful bear safety tips.
Near your home: Bears are attracted to the garbage, pet food, compost piles, fruit trees and birdfeeders around houses.
- DO remove bird feeders and bird food from late March through November.
- DO eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed. Add ammonia to trash to make it unpalatable.
- DO clean and store grills away after use.
- DON'T intentionally feed bears. Bears that become accustomed to finding food near your home may become "problem" bears.
- DON'T leave pet food outside overnight.
- DON'T add meat or sweets to a compost pile.
Hiking or camping: Bears normally leave an area once they’ve sensed a human. If you see a bear, enjoy it from a distance. Aggression by bears towards humans is exceptionally rare.
- DO make your presence known by making noise and waving your arms if you see a bear while hiking.
- DO keep dogs on a leash and under control. A roaming dog might be perceived as a threat to a bear or its cubs.
- DO walk away slowly if you surprise a bear nearby.
- DON'T cook food near your tent or store food inside your tent. Instead, keep food in a secure vehicle or use rope to suspend it between two trees.
- DON'T climb a tree, but wait in a vehicle or building for the bear to leave an area.
Livestock and beehives: Bears occasionally attack livestock and damage beehives.
- DO protect livestock with electric fencing and move livestock into barns at night if possible.
- DO reinforce beehives to prevent them from being knocked over or protect them with electric fencing.
- Do report bear sightings
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