Bears heard ‘crying and moaning’ escape storm drain with 10-foot log in Connecticut
.png "A bear and its two cubs got trapped in a storm drain in a Connecticut neighborhood.")
Crying and screaming echoed through a Connecticut neighborhood.
Neighbors in Simsbury heard cries for help coming from a storm drain, NBC Connecticut reported. When they looked down the grate, they found a bear and its two cubs.
“It was crying more than it was angry,” neighbor Scott Conrad told the news station. “It was crying and moaning because it had its cubs with it.”
Wardens rushed to help the bears, according to the state’s Environmental Conservation Police. Officials initially thought the bear wanted to be in the drain, but they quickly learned it was stuck.
“It was originally thought that she was in there for a purpose perhaps using the drains as a travel corridor or taking a break from the heat but it was soon realized that she was needing a bit of assistance,” the Environmental Conservation Police said in a Thursday, Aug. 4, news release.
Several agencies responded to the scene to pull the bears out of the drain. Officials had to get creative.
They shut down streets and tucked a 10-foot log into the drain. Biologists started “cub calling” to lure the bears out.
After some time, the mom and its two cubs climbed the log and made it out of the drain. The bears immediately dashed to a tree.
Simsbury is about 10 miles northwest of Hartford.
What to do if you see a bear
Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. Bears in most attacks are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.
There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.
Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening.
Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack, they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.
Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.
Pick up small children: Don’t let kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.
Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.
Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.
Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.
Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.
Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.
Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.
This story was originally published August 5, 2022 at 11:51 AM with the headline "Bears heard ‘crying and moaning’ escape storm drain with 10-foot log in Connecticut."