Students study the three bears (true story)

NORTH CANAAN — Bears on the playground? That seemed to be the case at North Canaan Elementary School April 22. 

The school was put on alert when a call came in from Troop B that three bears had been spotted nearby.

To the disappointment of those who looked out every window of the school, none were seen.  

That is not to say the bears weren’t there, nor that they  are typically dangerous. They are afraid of humans. But they are increasingly losing that fear as they come in contact with us and the food, aka trash, that is covered in human scent. 

There have been lots of bear sightings in the last few weeks. Many are likely the same bear or bears, as their territory spans miles. This is the season. Bears are emerging from hibernation and are ravenous — or, if they gave birth during the winter, they are anxious to find supplemental food for their fast-growing cubs. They are unpredictable right now.

As Principal Rosemary Keilty put it, “You just don’t take any chances.”

The trio in the center of town last week was roaming around West Main Street initially. Nancy Gandolfo, who lives adjacent to the west end of the school grounds, snapped photos. She reported a big male, sporting a white ear tag, on her back deck, and caught him red-pawed, snacking from her birdfeeder.

A mama bear and yearling were in her front yard. 

It was Gandolfo who called state police. That was about 2:30 p.m., she said, and there were children on the playground just beyond a line of trees.

The school dismissed at 1 p.m. for parent/teacher conferences. But the after-school program was in session and the children would typically be outside; but it was raining, Keilty said, and by then, there was no one out of doors. 

“The teachers were all in their classrooms, and we asked everyone to look out their windows. No one got to see the bears.”

Chances are, they wandered off into the wooded area behind the building. The school does not put out birdfeeders or anything that might attract wild animals. The dumpster is covered and no lunch was served that day to entice them with fresh smells. Without a food source, there was no reason for the bears to hang around.

The town recently bought 35 acres of those woods. Part of the plan is to do some clearing for security purposes.

And yes, animals are in the school’s safety plan.

“A couple of times in the past, we’ve heard bears were around. We’ve had some issues with dogs and wild animals that shouldn’t be out in the daytime, and may be rabid. People around the neighborhood are very vigilant. The teachers are all in contact when they are outside. If any animal wanders onto the grounds, everyone comes inside immediately.”