On Saturday, September 28, Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police responded to Southbury for a report of an incident with a black bear. Officers confirmed that a man encountered a black bear while hiking in the woods and was knocked to the ground by it. The man was able to safely get away from the black bear, which fled into the woods.

Environmental Conservation Police officers conducted a search and did not locate the black bear. Wildlife biologists have set a trap in the area and will monitor it. The incident occurred in the vicinity of Lake Zoar. The 38-year-old Newtown man was taken to Danbury Hospital, treated for non-life threatening injuries and released. No further information about this incident is available at this time.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection reminds the public to observe black bears from a distance, advertise your presence with noise or movement and walk slowly away if you encounter one. Never attempt to feed or attract black bears. For more information on how to report black bear sightings, what do you if you encounter a black bear, and other information about the black bear population in Connecticut, visit the DEEP website.