A bobcat was spotted in Bloomfield and the town is asking residents to be aware of their surroundings.

The town shared its concern in a Facebook post. The town reported that a bobcat was spotted in the area of Rockwell Avenue.

“While bobcats are generally not aggressive, they are wild animals and should be treated with caution,” the post said.

The town said if a resident were to encounter a bobcat, they should stay calm, keep a safe distance, do not approach or attempt to corner the animal, and should bring pets indoors and supervise children.

The town said that bobcats typically avoid human interaction but to “remain aware of your surroundings.”

Connecticut’s only wild cat species has seen its population grow with sightings in 152 towns around this time last year, according to state officials.

Like many other animals in the state including bears and beavers, bobcats numbers are steadily increasing. The animals were near extinction until 1972 when unregulated hunting was halted. The bobcat was reclassified as a protected furbearer with no hunting or trapping seasons, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Bobcats are increasingly being sighted in more urban areas and backyards. While long concentrated in the state’s more forested Northwest corner, sightings have risen in New Haven and Hartford counties where development tends to be more dense.

“We believe their lowest population numbers were in the 1950s when they were commonly hunted,” said Jason Hawley, a DEEP wildlife biologist. “We think a small group of them survived in the forested Northwest corner after they were granted protection in the 1970s. From around 2000 to now, their population has steadily increased, and they moved eastward across the state. We see them now in every town in Connecticut.”

DEEP last year estimated there to be around 2,000 to 3,000 bobcats across the state, with many finding ideal conditions in urban areas, which came as a shock for state biologists. A four-year study where bobcats were caught and collared with GPS monitors showed that many of them live in urban areas and often close to homes.

A DEEP spokesman said last year that during the tracking study, he was surprised to see a group of bobcats living right next to Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford. The bobcats would sometimes venture into nearby West Hartford by utilizing riparian zones or brush near rivers or streams and staying hidden.

For questions or to report a sighting, call the Bloomfield Police Animal Control (860) 242-5501 ext. 5450.

DEEP recomments:

  • Stay calm: Don’t panic, as this could trigger the bobcat’s hunting instincts.
  • Maintain distance: Give the bobcat plenty of space and avoid approaching it.
  • Make noise: If the bobcat approaches, make yourself look and sound large by waving your arms and making loud noises.
  • Back away slowly: Slowly back away while facing the animal and avoid running or turning your back.
  • Find refuge: If possible, retreat to a vehicle or building.
  • Do not feed: Never feed wild animals, as this can desensitize them to humans and make them less wary.