An unidentified 38-year-old Newtown man who was hiking in a wooded area in Southbury near Lake Zoar on Saturday, September 28, encountered a black bear, which knocked him to the ground, according to a statement from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

The man was safely able to get away from the bear, which fled into the woods, DEEP said. State Environmental Protection Police responded to the scene to investigate the incident.

The man was transported to Danbury Hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and then released, according to DEEP.

The police officers searched for the bear but did not locate it. Wildlife biologists have set a trap for the bear in the area and will monitor it.

DEEP reminds the public to observe black bears from a distance, to make your presence known with noise or movement, and to walk slowly away if you encounter a black bear. People should never attempt to feed or to attract black bears.

For more information on reporting black bear sightings, on what to do if you encounter a black bear, and other information about the black bear population, people may visit DEEP’s website, ct.gov/deep. Bear sightings should be reported to the DEEP at 860-424-3011 or online at ct.gov/deep/blackbear.