BURLINGTON, Connecticut — A 200-pound black bear was found dead on the side of a Connecticut road Sunday — and investigators say someone may have shot it, then dumped the body.
Connecticut State Environmental Police, also known as Encon police, responded to a report of a dead bear on Upson Road in Burlington over the weekend.
When officers arrived, what they found raised immediate red flags.
Bear Appeared to Have Been Shot
During a preliminary assessment, officers observed a wound behind the bear’s front right shoulder that appeared consistent with a gunshot, according to a post from Connecticut State Environmental Police on Facebook.
The male black bear weighed approximately 200 pounds.
Investigators say they do not believe the bear was killed on Upson Road itself.
Their working theory is that the animal was shot somewhere else — and that someone drove to the location and dumped the body on the roadside.
Carcass Seized for Further Investigation
Officers seized the bear’s carcass to conduct a more thorough investigation and determine the exact cause of death.
Killing a black bear without a permit in Connecticut is illegal and can carry serious criminal penalties under state wildlife laws.
Encon police are treating this as an active investigation.
Police Are Asking for the Public’s Help
Investigators are now turning to the community to help crack the case.
Anyone who has information about the incident — including who may have shot the bear or where the shooting took place — is urged to come forward.
You can contact the State Encon Police Emergency Dispatch Center at 860-424-3333.
You can also reach Officer Matthew Heath directly by email at [email protected].
All tips are being taken seriously as officers work to identify the person or people responsible.
Black Bears in Connecticut
Black bear sightings have become increasingly common across Connecticut in recent years as the population has grown and expanded into suburban and residential areas.
State wildlife officials regularly remind residents that bears are protected animals and that harming one outside of a legally authorized hunt is a criminal offense.
If you come across a bear, authorities recommend keeping your distance, never feeding it, and reporting the sighting to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Do you live near Burlington or have information about this incident? Share what you know in the comments — your tip could make a difference.
