An adult black bear and its cub caused significant damage to a car after becoming trapped inside it in Connecticut. The incident, which occurred on July 15, saw the bears thrashing about inside the vehicle, blaring the horn and blasting the radio. Meanwhile, a second cub ran around the vehicle in apparent distress.
State environmental conservation police responded to the call from the startled car owner and managed to free the trapped bears, which then retreated into the woods unharmed. The vehicle, however, was left in shambles, with its interior completely destroyed. Authorities believe the bears entered the car by opening a door, although it is unclear how the door subsequently closed.
This incident is part of a series of bear-related episodes reported in Connecticut recently. Over the past week, a woman in Cheshire reported being bitten by a black bear, resulting in minor injuries. The bear was later euthanized by officials. Additionally, a nearly 500-pound black bear was struck and killed by a car on a highway in Torrington.
Connecticut has seen a rising number of bear encounters, with bears increasingly breaking into cars, trash bins, and homes. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection advises residents to keep car doors locked and avoid providing easy access to food sources. The bear population in Connecticut, now estimated at 1,000 to 1,200, has been steadily increasing since the 1980s. Sightings have been reported in all 169 towns, with a higher concentration in the northwestern part of the state.
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