NEW HAVEN–A bear was relocated to a rural part of the state Tuesday night after an hours-long search throughout the Elm City.
Earlier in the day, New Haven Police Public Information Officer David Hartman sent out a notice that a bear had been seen in the city’s Fair Haven, Cedar Hill and East Rock neighborhoods starting around sunrise on Tuesday. Residents reported sightings on Chestnut Street, State Street and James Street, and a driver on Willow Street nearly collided with the animal.
During the evening hours the bear was seen on the entrance ramp for I-91 north. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Environmental Conservation Police, New Haven Police and Connecticut State Police all responded to deal with the bear.
Around 8 p.m. the bear was lured up a tree in a grassy area on State Street near the highway entrance, and then hit with two tranquilizer darts.
DEEP says the bear weighs more than 350 pounds and didn’t have a collar or ear tags, meaning it had not previously encountered DEEP.
DEEP wants to remind the public that the state’s black bear population is growing, and that sightings have been reported in nearly every town in the state. While it is uncommon to see a bear in such an urban area, it’s certainly not unheard of.
For tips on what to do if you see a bear click here.
