New England’s Largest Bear Litter is the Most Adorable Thing You’ll See All Day

NBC Connecticut has reported on their Instagram account that the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection agency has confirmed the very first sighting of a litter with more than 4 bear cubs seen in Connecticut.

Can you even stand how cute these little bear cubs are?

The saying is true.  There is no one more protective than a Mama Bear.  Best to leave them be if you encounter them.  If she perceives you as a threat, you are in trouble.

A Few Things to Remember if You Encounter a Bear

• Make yourself look as large as possible
• Move away slowly if possible
• Do NOT run
• Do NOT climb a tree

In January of 2026, there were more than 12,000 reports of bear sightings, according to ctmirror.org.  This number represents a huge increase since 1996, when there were only 22 bear sightings.

Connecticut, according to a 2026 report, has about 1000 - 1200 bears with 3,093 conflicts with humans. Maine with 25,000 - 27,000 bears with 228 conflicts. New Hampshire has about 5,800 and Massachusetts has 4,500 bears, with 485 conflicts. The reason for this might be that Connecticut does not allow bear hunting.  Maine and New Hampshire does.

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Do Bird Feeders Attract Bears in New England?

For as long as I can remember, I have not put out bird feeders on my property in New Hampshire. I was always told that bears would be attracted to the bird seed and they could cause trouble, so I never put them up.

Every once in a while, there is a bear sighting in my neighborhood.  No one, to my knowledge, has ever been injured by a bear, but they are not creatures to be messed with, despite how flippin' cute they are.