Community Corner

A Black Bear Wreaks Havoc on Monroe Properties

A Black Bear made messes in two yards, tipping over a gas grill, dragging garbage containers and breaking a pole to a bird feeder, while passing through Monroe on May 10.

That morning, a Fan Hill Road man reported finding his gas grill had been tipped over and his three garbage containers were dragged down the driveway. Monroe Animal Control Officer Ed Risko said he found bear prints on the grill and trash containers, adding it was typical damage from a Black Bear.

Nobody heard any noises during the night, he said.

Then at 9:18 p.m., a Wells Road woman told police she heard a noise in her backyard and her husband went outside with a flashlight and saw a Black Bear, according to the report.

Risko said the bear knocked over the bird feeder — breaking the pole while trying to get at the seeds.

The bear walked away toward the tree line and was last seen heading south/west toward Ridgedale Road and Pepper Street. Officers searched the area and could not find the animal, according to the report.

Risko said he believes the same bear was involved in both incidents. 

"It's presumed to be a male Black Bear searching for a female to breed with," he said, adding a bear's home range is up to 30 square miles.

As of May 16, there were no additional reports about the bear, Risko said.

In both cases, a Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection sighting report was filled out and the homeowners were provided with information on Black Bears with common cautions such as avoiding attractants, including food left in the yard and unsecured garbage containers.

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