In a South Windsor neighborhood, a black bear caused a stir, eating a pumpkin straight off of a homeowner’s front steps and knocking over a trash can in the driveway. Neighbors watched in shock as the bear tore through their garbage and ambled around the street, unbothered by the people nearby.

Bears invading local neighborhoods and munching on residents’ trash has been a major problem, not only in South Windsor but all around Connecticut and New England. These bears have been forced to adapt to suburban life and explore urban areas due to the increase in the population. 

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, DEEP, estimates that the population of bears in Connecticut is around 1,100 total. This number just keeps growing as DEEP reports that female bears (sows) produce an average of 2.5 cubs per year with an 82% survival rate of cubs in the first year. Additionally bears were reported in 159 of Connecticut’s 169 towns and cities.

This surplus of bears may seem harmless, but, in reality, they have been disturbing neighborhoods.

In Connecticut especially, bears have been invading homes and tearing up garbage. 

Annual bear conflicts in 2023 in Connecticut was 3,093, and the next closest was West Virginia with only 1,227 bear conflicts that year. This is extraordinary because Massachusetts has nearly double the amount of bears, yet Connecticut has many more conflicts. One of these conflicts happened right here in South Windsor. 

In a Pleasant Valley neighborhood, a bear was spotted calmly eating a pumpkin in a front yard. Afterwards, the bear took a stroll around the neighborhood. The interesting part was the bear wasn’t even bothered and seemed used to the suburban area. 

“It (the bear) was quite content and happy. It was not bothered by anything or anyone,” South Windsor resident Jodi Oliver said. 

The neighbors were more shocked than anything, but they were also worried by the sight of the bear.

 “If I was walking and saw it, I would have been excited and scared,” Oliver explained.

This just reveals the danger that the increase of bears can cause. 

Later that week, a bear was spotted again rummaging through garbage cans. The bear tipped over the can and took the garbage out. The bear proceeded to walk across the lawn with the bag hanging out of its mouth and spread the trash all over the lawn.

This was many residents’ first time spotting a bear, showing that the bears are extending their stomping grounds.

“This was the first time I ever saw a bear,” South Windsor Resident Erica Ehler said. “I didn’t think I would ever get to because there isn’t a ton of woods around my house.” 

These events leave locals wondering if animal control or law enforcement will do something about it.

This story was originally published on The Bobcat Prowl on November 10, 2025.