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Bear Tranquilized, Captured After Romp In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — A bear that roamed through Fairfield on Thursday and then climbed a tree to take nap has been tranquilized and captured, according to First Selectman Michael Tetreau.  

A black bear cub takes a nap in a tree Thursday afternoon on Denise Terrace in Fairfield.

A black bear cub takes a nap in a tree Thursday afternoon on Denise Terrace in Fairfield.

Photo Credit: Fairfield Police Department
The tranquilized bear takes a nap in the back of a truck.

The tranquilized bear takes a nap in the back of a truck.

Photo Credit: Screenshot from Michael T. Borruso ?@MikeBorruso

Tetreau made the announcement via Twitter ‏@miketetreau.

"The bear cub was located relaxing in a tree on Denise Terrace where it was tranquilized," Fairfield Police Department said in a Facebook post Thursday evening. "DEP officers then took possession of the bear, who is fine, and will be releasing him in a wooded area somewhere in the state."

After reports all day of the young bear roaming through Fairfield — from Greenfield Hill to the Fairfield University area — it was spotted in a tree in the backyard of a home on Denise Terrace in the afternoon. 

Police called the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which sent a team to tranquilize the bear and move it. 

The first selectman's office sent out a Code Red Alert to residents living in the areas where the bear was spotted.

Also on Thursday morning, the Westport Police Department received two separate reports of bear sightings from residents whose properties border the Merritt Parkway.

"The mere presence of a bear does not necessitate its removal," the police statement said. "In most cases, if left alone, the bear will make its way to a more natural habitat. Removing food attractants, such as bird feeders, reduces the chance that bears will go near homes.

"The DEEP seldom relocates bears. An exception may be made to remove a bear in an urban location when there is little likelihood that it can leave safely on its own and when the bear is in a position where it can be safely immobilized," police said.

On its website, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection offered the following information regarding the handling of bears near your home.

All bear sightings should be reported to both the police department and the DEEP's Wildlife Division, at 860-675-8130.

If you see a bear:

  • Enjoy it from a distance. 
  • Advertise your presence by shouting and waving your arms or walk slowly away. 
  • Never attempt to feed or attract bears. 

Residents have spotted bears in a number of towns this spring and summer, including Danbury, Darien, Norwalk and Greenwich. 

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