Black bear spotted running through West Hartford shopping mall: Watch

Shoppers at a shopping mall in Connecticut were sent into a state of panic after a bear was spotted running through the parking lot.

Video footage captured from the incident shows law enforcement officials in West Hartford chase the furry shopper as it runs amok through the mall. Shoppers were also seen running away from the bear as it moved through.

“Oh my God,” a person could be heard saying in the video amid loud screams.

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) spokesperson Will Healey told USA TODAY on April 15 that the bear, a yearling, was located in a tree near Westfarms Mall on April 11 by the agency’s Environmental Conservation Police and Wildlife Division personnel.

Healy said staff successfully managed to chase the bear away into nearby woods.

A DEEP spokesperson told Storyful that authorities used a stick to tap the tree which the bear had climbed, prompting it to jump from the tree and run away. The spokesperson said wildlife officials attempted earlier to encourage the bear, believed to be around one or two years old, down by shooting a paintball gun at the tree. However, that trick failed.

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Bears become active in the spring

The bear is believed to have been looking for food after emerging from hibernation.

“With the winter denning season now over, bears become more active in the spring,” Healy said, advising residents to be “bear aware” and mindful of their presence.

What to do if you spot a bear

Black bears are increasingly becoming common in Connecticut, according to DEEP, with reports of bear sightings in heavily populated residential areas on the rise. Wildlife agencies have also seen an increase in the number of reported conflicts with black bears, according to DEEP, who encouraged all residents to be more “BearWise” and aware of what to do if they encounter the wild animal.

The National Park Service and DEEP suggest keeping the following things in mind in case of an encounter:

Secure food, garbage and any other food items that are likely to attract bears. The presence of easily accessible food sources near homes and businesses is primary contributing factor to human-bear conflicts, per DEEP.
Never feed bears.
Talk in a low, steady voice and do not scream or otherwise act suddenly.
Make yourself appear as large as possible.
If you encounter a bear in your own yard, do not leave the house. Ensure everyone is secure inside before banging pots or making other loud noises to scare the bear away.
If you see cubs, be extra cautious. Mother bears are very protective of their young. Do not approach, touch or interact with cubs.
It is also permissible to throw items and yell at the bear and fight back if attacked.
Travel in groups and pick up small children and pets upon sighting a bear.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

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