Bear Takes a Slide Ride in Connecticut Backyard

One Saturday afternoon, Sarah Loving had just returned from enjoying lunch with her family when she glanced outside her Simsbury, Connecticut home. To her surprise, two bears were meandering through her backyard.

While encountering bears wasn't entirely unexpected for Loving, given the frequency of their visits to the neighborhood—Simsbury is home to around 24,500 residents and is just 12 miles northwest of Hartford—discovering overturned bins from foraging bears is common on rubbish collection days.

However, what caught her attention and prompted her to start recording was when one bear approached her children’s wooden playset. Ascending the structure, the bear promptly made its way up the steps.

Remarkably, the bear slid down the slide as if it was a familiar feat, unperturbed as it landed in a soft sand heap at the bottom. After coming to a rest, the bear paused for a moment, casually taking in its surroundings.

After lounging around for a short while, the bears continued their adventure, moving on to investigate the adjacent property. Their fleeting visit lasted roughly ten minutes.

Loving, who moved with her family to Simsbury two years prior and was amused by the unusual event, commented on the bears’ ease amidst the equipment. She humorously speculated that they might be repeat visitors, albeit this was the first time they'd witnessed such playful antics on the playset.