We’re cheering Connecticut’s Environmental Committee today for voting down a proposed black bear hunt. Friends of Animals testified in opposition of the hunt at the public hearing on March 24 and pointed out that success in preventing bears from losing their wariness of people depends on changing human behavior.  Human-bear interactions decline when food attractants such as birdfeeders and trash are removed. A cruel, random, recreational bear hunt will never stop bears from being curious, opportunistic feeders.

We’re relieved legislators protected our state’s beloved black bears from being the target of trophy hunters.

Rest assured, our work to protect CT’s black bears will continue. We’ll keep educating the public about the ways they can bear-proof their yard and homes. And we are working tirelessly to get a bear-resistant trash can pilot program underway, which has been successful in reducing conflict reports in other states.

Protecting bears from habituation in a densely populated state such as Connecticut is everyone’s call to action!