As the landscape in Newtown and surrounding towns continues to change, wild animals are being impacted and trying to adapt to their new environment as best they can. This can mean a variety of wildlife venturing into areas they never have before — backyards, hiking trails, and busy roads — when searching for refuge or nourishment.

Residents are having close encounters so frequently that it is not uncommon for people to share photos of a bear investigating their bird feeder or a bobcat traveling across an unfenced yard. Many, too, are calling agencies to report wild animals injured on the side of the road or accidentally poisoned.

Springtime also means many animals are more visible as they are out and about gathering food for their growing families.

In a perfect world, animals would know the boundaries of what land is preserved for them and what is human-inhabited, but the reality is these creatures are just doing their best to survive.

In this miniseries, The Newtown Bee will consult animal experts to explain how to support these animals safely from afar and what to do if you encounter them face-to-face.

Bears

Last month a video went viral of a mother bear desperately trying to get her four energetic cubs safely across a busy roadway in Connecticut. In the clip, traffic stood still and people inside their vehicles recorded the breathtaking moment — many of whom commented on how relatable the behavior was to that of a human mother with young, boisterous children.

Scenes like this give a glimpse into the daily activity of animals and remind people that while they are focused on their busy lives, wild animals are also desperately trying to safely live out their lives, too.

Dara Reid, director of Wildlife in Crisis, explained, “Black bears now live amongst us. Or, we live amongst them, depending on your point of view. The maturation of our forests in Connecticut have given rise to a growing bear population. Unfortunately, these forests are now bisected by roads and endless suburban sprawl.”

Wildlife in Crisis, located in Weston, is all too familiar with the impact humans have on wild animals as the volunteer-run nonprofit cares for more than 5,000 injured and orphaned wild animals a year, including black bears.

Connecticut master wildlife conservationist Felicia Ortner has been studying bears for roughly 35 years. Her passion for bears and her desire to dispel the myths about them inspired her to create an educational program called The Bear Reality. Through it, she has provided presentations to more than 10,000 individuals across Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Ortner says that there are currently eight species of bears across four continents, but the only bear species found wild in Connecticut is the American black bear.

According to the North American Bear Center, American black bears can grow to be four to seven feet tall and adult males can weigh anywhere from 125 to 500 pounds.

American black bears typically have black fur on their bodies and a brown muzzle, but do sometimes have light coloring on their chests. They have non-retractable claws that help them climb trees.

They also happen to have good vision, hearing that exceeds human frequency ranges, an incredible sense of smell, and the ability to run more than 30 miles per hour, and can swim well.

Not only that, but American black bears’ navigation abilities are considered superior to those of humans, and they have excellent long-term memory.

As for their diet, Reid explained, “Black bears are omnivores, with a preference for succulents, greens, roots, nuts, seeds, and berries. They will prey on fish and occasionally newborn fawns in the spring, bringing natural balance to our ecosystem.”

Even though bears are known to hibernate throughout the winter, they will leave their den on warmer winter days in search of food.

American black bears live mostly independent lives with the exception of when they mate and raise their young.

Reid said, “Mating season is in May and June, with delayed embryo implantation happening in the fall once female bears have sufficient fat reserves. They only breed every other year, and only if they are fit enough to raise young.”

American black bears can birth one to six cubs in their winter den — with two cubs being the norm. Mother bears spend a significant amount of time with their babies, which leads to strong familial bonds.

Ortner said, “Cubs are born in late January and early February during winter hibernation and weigh about 12 ounces. When the cubs come out from hibernation with mom in mid to late March, they’re about two months old and around five to seven pounds. The cubs will stay with their mother for about 17 months until family dispersal in May of the following year.”

Understanding Boundaries

Despite people’s love of bears in countless folklores and media, American black bears face a number of negative stigmas, including being seen as hostile creatures.

Ortner assures, “Accumulated data supports the black bear is seldom aggressive toward humans.”

In fact, bears willingly choose to retreat from humans in most situations. However, their behavior beforehand can appear aggressive as a defensive strategy.

Reid explained, “If they are nervous, they will sometimes bluff charge-pounce once, slam their front feet down, blow loudly, and sometimes smack their lips. Blustery bears are not about to attack, they are simply showing their discomfort around humans before they retreat or tree. Keep your distance from bears and they will do the same.”

If someone happens to see or encounter a bear, whether it be in their yard or in the wild, getting to safety inside a building or car is the top priority. If that is not possible, increasing the distance between you and the bear is key.

Reid advises, “Walk away deliberately, do not run,” and “appear as large as possible.”

Bears, as well as bobcats and coyotes, can be deterred by sound, so Reid recommends carrying a whistle to use.

The more sound you make — such as clapping and yelling — the better the chance a bear will flee.

Ortner added, “In the very rare occasion that a black bear may approach you, speak in a loud, low tone assertive voice. Try to scare the bear off, stomping on the ground, hitting a tree with a stick. Something like shaking a big black garbage bag often is effective. In the case you’re hiking or camping in an area with bears, you should always be carrying pepper spray with you.”

American black bears are typically not a threat to pets unless put in a situation where they feel they must react.

Ortner explained, “I always tell people to keep their dogs under control, such as on a leash, if a bear is around or they’re hiking in the woods with their dog. It’s for the safety of the dog. Most dogs will instinctively chase or attack a bear. In return, the bear will automatically try to protect itself.

“In most situations, a black bear’s reaction would be to run and climb a tree for safety. However, the situation might not allow for this action. In turn the bear may try to defend itself, possibly causing great harm to the dog.”

While altercations are rare, bears should be observed from a distance and never approached for the protection of humans, pets, and the bears themselves.

“A bear habituated to humans will eventually be killed,” Reid said.

Ortner stresses in her presentations how important it is for people to never intentionally attract bears.

Any food or garbage outside should be relocated, removed, or secured to reduce the chance of bears being drawn to your yard looking for nourishment.

Ortner said, “At your home, keep garbage cans clean and secure inside a garage or shed. Don’t leave pet food outside or feed for wildlife. Bears will be attracted to anything they think could potentially be food. These things should be removed or secured. This will prevent the majority of unwelcome encounters with bears.”

Additionally, if people still want to continue to have bird feeders in their yards, they should at least be moved to a spot away from the house.

Aiding The Orphaned Or Injured

Wildlife in Crisis is licensed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to care for injured and orphaned wild animals, including American black bears.

To reach Wildlife in Crisis, call 203-544-9913 or e-mail wildlifeincrisis@snet.net.

For more information about Wildlife in Crisis and for answers to frequently asked questions about wildlife, visit wildlifeincrisis.org.

As a master wildlife conservationist, Ortner is not employed by the state or licensed to handle American black bears. She recommends people reach out to local animal control or the state wildlife division if they see an injured, orphaned, or trapped bear.

In Newtown, those agencies would be the Newtown Animal Control Center, 203-426-6900, and DEEP’s Wildlife Division, 860-424-3011.

“At no time should an individual intervene with a cub or bear of any age,” Ortner advised.

To learn more about American black bears, Ortner recommends people visit the DEEP website at portal.ct.gov/deep and enter “black bears” in the search, as well as the North American Bear Center’s website, bear.org, which even has live camera footage of bears.