Residents Report Bear Sightings in Central Connecticut

Last year it was , this year it's bears.

It seems like every week there is another new report of a bear sighting in central Connecticut. A on Interstate 91 last week. A for a green snack in a backyard in Meriden recently and another one lounged in a before scooting off into the woods. have been reported in the region around Cheshire. There have even been confirmed and unconfirmed sightings of .

Southeastern Connecticut, though, seems not to have been invited to the party — at least officially.

According to the state Department of Environmental Protection here is the breakdown of reports of bear activity in southeastern Connecticut from June 26, 2011 to June 24, 2012:

• Griswold, 1

• North Stonington, 1

• Stonington, 1

Are the state DEEP's statistics inaccurate? Have you seen a bear in your backyard? Did you capture it in an image or video? If so, share your footage or stills with other readers on Patch by clicking on the Upload Photos and Videos button.