Connecticut Launches First Black Bear Population Survey in Over a Decade
Researchers in Connecticut are conducting the first scientific survey of the state's black bear population in over a decade. The project, a collaboration between the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Mississippi State University, uses DNA analysis of…
Fort Myers Naples, FL, August 13, 2026 —
Connecticut is undertaking its first comprehensive scientific survey of the black bear population in more than ten years. This initiative is a joint effort between the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and researchers from Mississippi State University.
The survey employs a modern approach, utilizing DNA analysis of hair samples. These samples are gathered from bears that interact with specially designed barbed wire traps placed throughout the state. The genetic data obtained will be crucial for estimating the current number of black bears in Connecticut.
The primary objective of this research is to generate updated and accurate population figures. The last reliable estimates of the black bear population in Connecticut are over a decade old. Since that time, state officials and wildlife experts have observed a significant increase in the bear population. The findings from this new survey will be vital for informing future conservation efforts and developing effective strategies to manage potential conflicts between humans and black bears.
This renewed focus on population data comes at a time when interactions with black bears are becoming more frequent in various parts of the state, highlighting the need for current scientific understanding to guide management practices and public safety information.
Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
