Colorado wildlife officials have euthanized 14 black bears this year and are encouraging the public to take steps to prevent situations that could lead to more bruin deaths.
“It’s a constant battle for us to make people understand that these animals are living by their stomachs and really, really, really want to get easy food,” said Jennifer Churchill, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman.
CPW typically relocates about 100 bears each year and euthanizes 100. The total of is on par with that average. The numbers increase in summer and fall.
This week, a after she wandered through Golden and Arvada searching for food and bird feeders. Authorities say residents trying to take photos with her did not help.
“So far it’s been a typical year” for bear interactions, Churchill said.
A food shortage last year prompted by heavy rains and late freezes . One bruin even made an overnight forage into the heart of Denver.
Another bear , leaving behind a surprise.
“So far this year we haven’t seen that,” Churchill said of any food shortages.
Parks and Wildlife encourages the public to take preventive measures to keep bruins away, like not leaving out trash, taking down bird feeders and refraining from feeding wildlife. If you see a bear in your backyard, Churchill said, try to encourage it to leave.
For more information on how to avoid bear conflicts, visit .
