Bear tied to Boulder County break-ins euthanized
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Bears in a Boulder backyard last week. Photo: Boulder Police Department
Colorado Parks and Wildlife euthanized a bear Sunday after linking it to multiple Boulder County break-ins this month and determining it had lost its fear of humans.
Why it matters: The case is the latest sign of a busy bear season, as drought shrinks natural food supplies and pushes the hungry animals into neighborhoods and urban areas.
Catch up quick: A 57-year-old man was hospitalized last Friday after he was found unconscious and injured outside Ward.
- Investigators initially suspected a bear attack.
- But the sheriff's office later determined the man suffered a medical episode, and the bear entered his camper while he was unconscious.
Yes, but: Although the bear never attacked anyone, wildlife officials tied it to multiple other break-ins in the Ward area and concluded it had become too comfortable around people.
- So the decision was made to euthanize it.
- CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose told Axios the bear was euthanized Sunday. Officials say bears that repeatedly seek out human food and lose their natural wariness pose an increasing public safety risk.
By the numbers: Colorado is on pace for another busy year of bear encounters. CPW has logged 108 bear reports in Boulder County as of Monday, up from 77 during the same period last year.
- Last year set a statewide record for bear activity.
Zoom in: Bears have also become a more common sight inside city limits.
- Boulder police last week shared a video of a mama bear and her cubs playing in a residential yard.
- A barking dog eventually chased the bear family up a tree before wildlife officers monitored them and chased them into the foothills.
Zoom out: Wildlife officials have warned for months that this could be another active year for bears after Colorado's historically dry winter reduced natural food supplies.
Be smart: Those in areas with bear activity should:
- Lock up trash.
- Secure feeders.
- Pick up fallen fruit.
- Keep small pets inside.