BEAVER CREEK — Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials aren’t sure what killed a mother bear in Beaver Creek and might never learn unless they get more information.
“At this point, we do not know what killed this bear,” said Bill Andree, of Vail, district wildlife manager. “We are actively investigating, but unless someone comes forward with information, we may never know.”
The mother bear was found dead June 30 in a Beaver Creek neighborhood. Two of her three cubs were immediately captured and soon became ill. Their bellies were full of store-bought cherries, which indicates someone may have been intentionally feeding them. The cubs recovered and the third cub, which was captured later, appears healthy.
A toxicology test performed by an independent laboratory revealed only traces of toxins in the mother bear’s system. According to officials with Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Wildlife Health Lab, similar levels are found in many bears and are not typically considered sufficient to cause death.
The morning of the incident, residents of Beaver Creek reported they heard gunshots in the area where the bear died; however, after conducting a physical examination of the carcass within hours after it was discovered, wildlife officers did not find any evidence of physical trauma, including bullet wounds.
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