Black Bear Follows Coyote Through Monroe Backyard Monday

A Monroe Patch reader sent us this pic of a black bear following a coyote around his yard Monday around 6 p.m.

Black bear sightings are not new for Monroe, with other sighting reported to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in the last year.

“In recent years, a resident population has become established in Connecticut, primarily in the northwestern region,” the DEEP reports. “Bears have also wandered into heavily populated residential areas. Connecticut residents need to learn more about bears and how to reduce the likelihood of bears becoming a problem.”

If bears are becoming a common sight around your home, the DEEP offers a list of Do’s and Don’ts to avoid problems:

• Do remove birdfeeders 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.