Wildlife in Crisis
and
Fairfield County Residents
Plan A Bear 211 Memorial
Following His Untimely Death
Weston, CT, July 30, 2021 - On July 26, Bear 211, a beloved young bear cub wandering backyards in Fairfield County, Connecticut, was critically injured after being hit by a car in Easton. Bear 211, a male cub over one year in age and about 125 pounds, had been wandering Fairfield County solo since Spring with many sighting reports online. A Bear 211 social media group was dedicated to his journey with over 5000 followers cheering on his every footstep, hammock swing and pool swim.
Erin Niles, a local Veterinarian Nurse, contacted the Wildlife in Crisis (WIC) center, a local wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary, to plan a Bear 211 memorial at their Weston location. The WIC memorial will include a carved wooden bear of his likeness, a possible children’s book and additional fundraising for WIC backyard wildlife education programs.
According to Dara Reid, Director of WIC, “We are heartbroken at Wildlife in Crisis. We’ve raised orphaned bear cubs and know first-hand just how endearing this species can be. We are proud of our community for their compassion for this bear.”
“There is much we can learn from Bear 211. As suburban sprawl has overtaken Fairfield County, we are now more than ever stewards of the wild animals that live amongst us. We can all make a difference for wildlife from bears to butterflies, by being good stewards,” added Dara.
“Enlighten your neighbors. Leave mature trees standing. Don’t use pesticides, rodenticides or herbicides, and work towards banning them. Allow half your lawn to grow into a life giving meadow. Don’t trap wildlife, leave them be. Keep cats indoors and supervise your dogs,”
“I was so saddened and shocked when I learned about Bear 211’s passing. His weekly sittings on his FB page were always cute and humorous and filled my heart with happiness. I month ago I saw a bear down my driveway and I know at that moment, the majestically beauty that bears hold. This is their land, not ours and we need to learn how to coexist,” said Erin Niles.
WIC Donations “earmarked” for Bear 211 will be put towards the WIC Backyard Wildlife education program and the care of our thousands of other animal patients hit by cars every year. In addition, WIC has a land trust protecting habitat, which is the most important thing we can do for wildlife.
Wildlife in Crisis is a volunteer run, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to wildlife preservation and land conservation. WIC was founded in 1988 and each year WIC cares for over 5,000 injured and orphaned wild animals. WIC relies entirely on donations to care for debilitated wildlife. To see heartwarming stories of the animals cared for at WIC
visit www.facebook.com/wildlifeincrisis.
