Playful bear rides down a slide on children’s playground
This bear didn’t miss the opportunity to have some fun when it spotted a children’s slide.
A large black bear was spotted frolicking in a Connecticut backyard, enjoying the swings and slides.
Video footage captured by Sarah Loving in West Simsbury, about 30 minutes northwest of Hartford, shows the black bear enjoying her backyard by climbing up a slide and riding down it.
“Is he gonna go down the slide?” a man can be heard saying in the video. “Oh my gosh. There he goes!”
While the bear slides face down during the first time, in the second round, it almost hops down the slide. Another bear, meanwhile, can be seen snoozing beneath the swing set.
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Watch un-bear-ably cute video of black bear sliding down a slide
What to do if you spot a bear
Black bears are a common sight in Connecticut, according to Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (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 sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
