When temperatures soar into the 80s, even the most unexpected visitors may look for ways to cool off — as one Connecticut family discovered in the most surprising way. A 95-year-old man in Seymour recently found himself face to face with a black bear that had decided to take a dip in his backyard swimming pool. The incident, which unfolded on a warm Thursday afternoon, underscores how wildlife and humans continue to cross paths in increasingly suburban settings.
The black bear encounter occurred at the home of Charles Stochmal, a longtime resident of the area. According to Marianne Heffernan, Stochmal’s daughter, she was watering plants in the yard when she heard a splash. Initially assuming it was her brother, she turned around to see a bear leisurely swimming in the deep end of the in-ground pool. The bear’s unexpected appearance was both startling and oddly comical, as it appeared to be “dog paddling” in the water, enjoying a moment of relief from the heat.
Heffernan described her initial reaction as stunned disbelief. “It certainly wasn’t what I was expecting,” she said. “I was getting ready to go in the pool myself.” Rather than risk startling the bear and potentially causing damage to the pool or injury to herself, she quietly stepped away and alerted her father.
Stochmal, despite his age, responded with remarkable composure and authority. He walked over to the window, opened it, and firmly told the bear, “Get out of the pool.” To everyone’s surprise, the bear obeyed. “He knew just what I meant,” Stochmal recounted. “He jumped up.”
After exiting the pool, the bear didn’t seem in a hurry. It took a drink from the pool before casually exploring the backyard and heading toward the front of the house. Before leaving the property, it stopped by the garbage bins, presumably in search of food. At that point, Heffernan shooed it away. Despite the close call, she couldn’t help but admire the animal’s appearance, calling it “so darn cute” and likening it to a “big teddy bear.”
While the story carries a light-hearted tone, it does highlight a growing trend in suburban areas: increased black bear sightings. In Connecticut, these encounters are becoming more frequent as development expands into bear habitats. According to Bearwise, a public education initiative focused on bear safety, bears often seek out water sources like pools and lakes during hot weather to cool down. The organization advises residents to never approach a bear and to make noise to alert the animal to human presence, then retreat to a safe location such as a house or garage.
The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection echoes this guidance, urging people to avoid direct contact and to secure potential attractants like garbage bins. In this case, the bear’s interest in the garbage served as a reminder of the importance of bear-proofing outdoor spaces. Simple measures such as tightly sealing trash containers and removing food sources can deter bears from lingering in residential areas.
Pool owners in particular may want to take extra precautions. Amenity Pool Services, a company specializing in pool safety and maintenance, recommends installing fences, using animal repellents, and setting up motion-activated sprinklers to keep large animals at bay. These strategies can help prevent damage to pool infrastructure and reduce the risk of surprise encounters.
Connecticut residents have had several memorable bear encounters this year. Over Memorial Day weekend, a West Hartford homeowner came face to face with a bear in his backyard. In another incident in July, a hair salon manager in Simsbury reportedly fought off a bear to protect her dog. These stories, while dramatic, emphasize the importance of staying alert and informed when living in or near bear habitats.
What makes the Seymour incident particularly striking is the calm and effective response from both Heffernan and her father. Rather than panic, they assessed the situation and took measured steps to resolve it. The bear, for its part, seemed more interested in cooling off and scavenging than causing harm. The encounter ended without injury or damage — a testament to the value of cautious, respectful interaction with wildlife.
As summer continues and temperatures rise, it’s likely that bears and other animals will continue to seek respite in human-dominated landscapes. By staying informed and taking preventive measures, residents can reduce the likelihood of unwanted visits while coexisting peacefully with the wildlife that shares their environment.
