Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers responded to a reported bear attack at an apartment complex near Eagle-Vail on Monday, August 17th, after a man encountered a female black bear near a building laundry room.
According to CPW, the man was leaving the laundry room Monday afternoon when he came face to face with the animal. The bear swiped at him and scratched his arm. While trying to escape, the man tripped and injured his foot. A family member was able to transport the victim to a local medical facility where he was treated for injuries to his arm and foot. He has since been released and is recovering at home.
CPW Searching for Sow and Cubs
CPW officers worked in the area overnight in an effort to locate and capture the female bear and her cubs. Officials believe a larger male bear in the area kept the sow and cubs away from the neighborhood. A bear trap has been placed in the area as officers continue efforts to locate the animal.
The encounter comes as wildlife officials report increased bear activity across Colorado. Severe drought conditions have reduced natural food sources, forcing bears to travel farther in search of food. CPW has received multiple recent reports of a sow and cubs foraging through neighborhood dumpsters.
Bears Enter Hyperphagia
Bear activity is expected to increase as late summer transitions into fall. Black bears enter a period known as hyperphagia during this time, when they consume enormous amounts of food to build energy reserves before winter.
Bears can consume up to 20,000 calories per day during hyperphagia. Their focus on finding food can bring them into closer contact with homes, neighborhoods, and other developed areas. Colorado has recorded a high number of bear reports this year, making efforts to secure potential food sources increasingly important.
CPW Urges Residents to Prevent Bear Conflicts
CPW is encouraging residents to take steps to keep bears away from home and neighborhoods, including securely storing trash, animal feed, and food scraps. Pet food should never be left outdoors, and grills should be cleaned after every use and stored securely. Windows and doors should also remain locked when residents are away.
Anyone encountering a black bear should never approach nor run away from it. Instead, slowly back away if the bear sees you. If the bear approaches, stand your ground, wave your arms, and yell until the animal leaves. If a black bear makes physical contact, fight back aggressively. Read more on bear safety in Colorado here.