‘State of Connecticut, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection rst tatz Dwision of State Environmental Conservation Police Tabi gt arto cT CCASEMINGIDENT REPORT suvusnenneer — _X] we SRROWERASE | Tne [ome ower] The ore Trecr Neco TESTE SEIS TCR [GENS menor | 8 | eel E| tonames [ines phemeanoacescK “eso o lowrmatonsine| Tear May 19, 2022 (On the above date this office: was directed to complete a open source search of bear #217, aka “Bobbi”. to social media, specifically the Facebook page "Bobbi the Bear #217" The Facebock page is public and was established on June 04, 2018 with the purpose of documenting sightings and encounters with bear #217 throughout the Newtown, Redding and Bethel ‘area Many of the photos posted depict bear #217 damaging bird feeders end on two occasions bear #217 1s observedion a residential deck, stanng through a window Another photo depicts bear #217 and a cub inside what appears to be a restdence, An Individual commenting below the image indicated that "Bobb" broke ino a screened porch wath the cub. There is also a video posted byl who state's that he resides in the Cedar Hill area of Newton, and shows bear #217 actwely eating brdseed from 2 damaged bird feeder. An individual's observed in the video opening a patio door and verbally engages bear #217 from a distance of only afew feet Bear #217 does not show any signs of aggression anc continues eating the birdseed ‘The search was ited {Based on this officers training and experience the above described photos and video clearly portray human behawar (providing easily ‘accessible food and purposeful human interaction) that's counterintuitive te preventing a black bear from becoming habituated (comfortable near people) and food-conditoned (associate humans, houses, and neighborhoods). Food coneitioned bears pose @ ‘greater nsk to public safety and often cause more property damage to houses, cars, pets, and livestock Based on the photos and video a3 posted on social media its clear that bear #217 had become habituated and food-conditoned /C0 Sean J Welsh/ {CAPT David Nemecok/ IsuPeRISSRIBeoa8728 Cot State of Connecticut, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Pat 202 Division of State Environmental Conservation Police Poon : ‘CASEJINGIDENT REPORT “surruemenany 8 1090 — Jonas ins] TO? ‘This officer also forwarded the photos and videos to Jason Hawley, DEEF Wildife Drusion Biologst, and he concurred stating that "bear #217 was highly habituated and food-conditioned” ‘The Facebook postings and video are attached with this investigation STATUS Investgation Contnung "AWESTIONTOR SQNATIRE evesTGATOR 0 | SIGNED CATE ‘SIPERSOR SGURTURE suPERISOR Toe /C0 Sean J welsh/ | 0 ence /CAPT David Nemecek/ | 235.