Hartford — Debate over Connecticut's wildlife policy has restarted after state officials said they would trap and kill a bear cub that approached a hiker in a wildlife area.

Animal advocates say the policy is inhumane and ineffective. By Tuesday, a social media petition protesting the planned killing had gathered more than 14,000 signatures.

State wildlife officials say the bear at the Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington was "bold and aggressive" and euthanizing it will protect the public.

As Connecticut's bear population rises, wildlife officials and animal advocates clash with each encounter between the animals and humans. The most recent incident received attention because it was captured on video and posted online.

Stephanie Rivkin, who encountered the bear, said it was gentle and she was scared only for a second.