CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Family has sudden encounter with bear in Simsbury

SIMSBURY, CT (WFSB) - A family enjoying a sunny day in their driveway found themselves with an unexpected visitor.

Kristin Lee shared video with Channel 3 on Wednesday of a bear casually coming their way.

The family could be seen running in the opposite direction once they saw it.

Lee said her 9-year-old son was the first one to notice it walking across the lawn. He said “bear” and ran.

Her 2-year-old nephew could be heard in the video yelling “bear coming.”

Lee said the bear had no interest in them at all.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection continues to say that Connecticut’s black bear population has dramatically increased.

“With the number of bears increasing in the state, it is important for residents to learn the facts about black bears and how to coexist with them,” DEEP said.

More information about bears in Connecticut can be found on DEEP’s website here.