Bears in Simsbury: Unexpected Visitors on a Family Playset
SIMSBURY, Conn. – In a remarkable encounter with local wildlife, Sarah Loving recorded a pair of bears exploring her backyard in Simsbury, Connecticut, last Saturday. This suburban town, home to approximately 24,500 residents, is no stranger to bear sightings.
Common Sightings in the Area
Living just 12 miles northwest of Hartford, Simsbury residents often witness bears foraging through garbage cans and roaming neighborhoods. With such frequent interactions, the presence of bears has become a part of community life.
A Surprising Playdate
After returning home from lunch with her husband and two young children, Sarah noticed the bears strolled into her yard. Intrigued, she began filming when one of the bears approached her family’s wooden playset.
The Bear’s Unlikely Slide
“He made it to the landing and then went down the slide, like he had done it before,” Loving described, astonished by the bear’s playful antics. In the resulting video, the bear slid headfirst down the slide, landing gracefully in a pile of sand and casually surveying its surroundings.
The Visit
The bears lingered in Loving’s yard for about 10 minutes before moving to a neighbor’s property. “They seemed so comfortable on the playscape,” said Loving, who has lived in Simsbury for two years. “We just kept joking that they probably have been before, but we have not seen a bear go down a playscape before, ever. That was a first.”
Conclusion
The unexpected encounter highlights the growing presence of wildlife in suburban areas, urging residents to stay vigilant yet respectful of their animal neighbors. With an increase in bear sightings, community members are reminded of the importance of securing trash and minimizing human-wildlife interactions.