Since Bridgeport Police issued an alert Sunday that a young black bear had been spotted in the upper Worthington Drive/Stonebridge area, residents have shown concern. Those living in the neighborhood have reported that the bear – which appeared to be a cub – was hanging around the area, appearing hungry and without a mama bear in sight.

 

The Department of Natural Resources has received more than one call and has been monitoring situation, hoping the bear would move on.  

 

“But I suspect it is being fed,” said Steven E. Rauch, District 1 Wildlife Biologist. “Not only is feeding bears illegal, but also very detrimental to the animal from habituation to humans.”

 

Rausch said most bear/human conflicts can be prevented by not providing a food enticement for them, whether that be trash, bird feeders, etc. 

 

He believes the bear is not a cub, but a yearling  – and on its own at this point.

 

“Even yearlings still with the mothers would be run off by them in the next one to two months because breeding season will begin in July,” he said.

 

Rausch said he suspects the bear is a male. He also said steps have been taken to remove the bear to get it away from its current urban surroundings.

 

As stated by Bridgeport Police when the alert was issued, Rausch urges residents to never feed wildlife.

 

Editor's Note: Photo submitted by area resident.