Experts Warn Against Feeding Bears for Better Photos

State environmental officials want to get a message to anyone who is using food to lure bears just so they can take better pictures: it will lead to bigger problems.

"Certainly don't put out food purposely to attract bears because that leads to bolder bears," wildlife biologist Paul Rego, of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said.

Rego said bolder bears might have to be killed if they become nuisances and exhibit behavior including breaking into homes to get food.

Giving bears food is the first step on a slippery slope, he said.

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“That leads to bears being bold around humans and spending more time around homes. That can just lead to bear problems – bears in traffic, bears finding chicken coops, bears attacking pets near homes," Rego said.

Most of Connecticut is Bear Country, with more than 4,000 bear sightings in the last year.

Wolcott and Plainville are two communities that saw bears go through on Monday.

"I was very surprised to see a bear walking in someone's driveway, with little kids," Jayden Lococo said about the bear he saw near Ledge Road in Plainville. "But it was cool."

Denise English, of Bristol, is an old hand with bears.

[HAR] Moose, Bears, Turtles and Other Connecticut Wildlife

"We ignore them," she said, "We just let them do what they have to do, keep the bird feeders gone and all. You have to respect them."

You can report bear sightings to the Wildlife Division online or by calling 860-675-8130.
 

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