Black Bear Attacks, Injures Man in Colorado Mountain Town
A bear attack close to two of Colorado’s best-known ski resorts, Beaver Creek and Vail Mountain, left one man injured at an apartment complex, officials said.
According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, a man was leaving a building laundry room near Eagle-Vail when he encountered a female black bear. The bear swiped his arm, scratching him. As the man fled, he tripped and injured his foot.
The man was transported to a local medical facility by a family member, where he was treated for injuries to his arm and foot. He’s since been released and is recovering at home. The family is requesting privacy, CPW said.
Following the attack, CPW officials stayed in the area overnight to capture the bear and her cubs, but they believed a larger male bear in the area was keeping them away. CPW placed a bear trap in the neighborhood, according to the statement shared on Tuesday.
CPW said that the incident serves as a reminder that bears are active and that severe drought conditions have driven increased wildlife activity in populated areas. The agency has received multiple reports of a sow and cubs rummaging through dumpsters.
“Colorado has recorded a high number of bear reports this year,” CPW said. “Severe drought conditions have limited natural food sources, forcing bears to make broader movements in search of food.”
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Eagle County and other nearby counties are in “exceptional” drought, the highest level of drought, following a historically warm winter that brought little snow to Colorado. Axios reported recently that bear activity reports made to CPW were on pace for a record year, with 6,129 reports of bear sightings and conflicts through August 13. That’s nearly double the 3,115 reports made at the same time last year.
The Eagle-Vail attack follows another incident in Breckenridge where a bear crept into a hotel and made off with M&Ms. Local police scared the bear away, and no one, including the bear, was hurt.
Bear Safety Tips
CPW recommended residents take the following steps to prevent conflicts and keep bears wild.
- Never feed or approach bears. Intentionally feeding wildlife or letting them find accessible food is illegal. It teaches them to approach homes and lose their natural fear of humans.
- Safely store trash, animal feed, and other attractants. Lock up trash receptacles and food scraps to eliminate the powerful odors that attract wildlife to residential properties.
- Never leave pet food outdoors. Feed domestic pets indoors or thoroughly clean up bowls immediately after any outdoor feeding.
- Clean and store outdoor grills. Burn off grease and food particles after every use, and store grills inside a secure garage or shed.
- Secure windows and doors. Keep windows and doors locked, especially when leaving the property.
- Know what to do if you encounter a black bear. If you see a bear before it notices you, don’t approach. Stand still, and quietly move away. If a bear sees you, back away slowly. Never run; running may trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches, hold your ground, wave your arms, and yell “Hey Bear” until it leaves. If a black bear makes contact with you, do NOT play dead; fight back aggressively.
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