Black bears are an increasingly common sight across Connecticut. Their population has been steadily growing and expanding its range throughout the state. Residents now more frequently encounter these animals in various environments, from rural forests to suburban neighborhoods. This rise in bear presence prompts questions about their numbers and how people can safely coexist.
Current Bear Population Estimates
Connecticut’s black bear population is estimated to be between 1,000 and 1,200 individuals. These figures are derived from various methods employed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Public sighting reports are a primary tool, helping to gauge the distribution of bears and indicate areas of higher activity.
DEEP also utilizes more direct research methods, including collar tracking and den studies. GPS data from tagged bears provides insights into their movements and home ranges, which can overlap, especially where food is abundant. Bears handled by DEEP often receive two ear tags for research purposes. Population numbers can fluctuate based on environmental factors.
Bear Population Trends and Expansion
Black bears were absent from Connecticut for many years, having been extirpated from the state by the mid-1800s. Their return began in the 1980s, largely attributed to the regrowth of forestland following the abandonment of farms. Since then, the population has shown a consistent trend of increase and geographical expansion.
The breeding population, indicated by sightings of sows with cubs, has particularly expanded from western Connecticut eastward. Bears have been reported in over 150 of Connecticut’s 169 towns and cities. While the highest concentrations remain in the northwest, the species continues to expand into suitable habitats throughout eastern Connecticut, including suburban and urban areas. This expansion is partly due to the state’s bear population having a high reproduction rate.
Living Alongside Connecticut’s Bears
The increasing black bear population has led to more frequent interactions with residents. Over 3,000 human-bear conflicts were reported in Connecticut in 2024. These incidents often involve bears accessing human food sources like bird feeders and trash, which can lead to property damage or home entries. A record 67 confirmed home entries occurred in 2024.
Bears that regularly find easily accessible food near homes can become habituated, losing their natural fear of humans and associating people with food. To minimize conflicts, residents should secure all food sources by removing bird feeders from late March through November, storing garbage in secure containers, and cleaning outdoor grills. Intentional feeding of bears is prohibited by state law.
If a bear is encountered, observe it from a distance, make noise, wave arms, and slowly back away without running. If a bear is in a yard, scaring it away can reinforce its natural wariness of people, provided it is safe to do so.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) manages the bear population through public education, such as the “Be Bear Aware” campaign, and responds to nuisance bear situations. DEEP rarely relocates bears, and collects sighting reports to monitor changes. They also have the authority to remove bears that pose a public safety threat.