Connecticut family discovers black bear hibernating under deck

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
CT family discovers black bear hibernating under deck
A family in Plainville, Connecticut discovered a black bear, who they named 'Marty Barnard,' hibernating under their backyard deck last month.

CONNECTICUT (WABC) -- A family in Connecticut found quite a surprise under their deck -- a hibernating black bear.

The family from Plainville says they were playing with their dog in the backyard last month when the dog started growling and acting strange.

That's when they spotted the bear and took a video.

ALSO READ | Woman's solar-powered lanterns bring light to Ukraine facing blackouts from Russian attacks

Alice Min Soo Chun's Solight Lanterns are bringing the gift of light to Ukrainian children facing blackouts due to Russia's attacks on the power grid.

They named him "Marty Barnard" and even set up an Instagram account for him that has since gone viral.

The family alerted the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Officials told them to just leave Marty alone.

They said they could remove him from under the deck, but they couldn't promise he wouldn't return.

----------

* More Connecticut news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.