A bear swiped at a woman in her 80s, scratching her and knocking her to the floor of her kitchen in Estes Park early Thursday morning after entering her home through a closed but unlocked window on the first floor, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The woman told CPW officers she awoke around 4:30 a.m. to find the adult bear in the kitchen on the second floor of her Estes Park home on the west side of town.
After the incident, the bear left the home through the first-floor window, after which the woman called 911 and Larimer County Sheriff’s deputies responded. No bear was found at the scene. The woman then sought medical treatment for her abdominal injuries.
CPW has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to assist in locating and trapping the bear.
“We have not located the bear involved yet,” said Kara Van Hoose, public information officer for CPW, on Friday afternoon. “In accordance with CPW policy, bears responsible for attacks on humans represent a public safety threat due to dangerous behavior. They are lethally removed.”
The incident comes as CPW has reported unusually heavy bear activity in Estes Park. Multiple bears have broken into vehicles and occupied homes in the area over the past several days.
In addition, several bear attacks have occurred across the state in recent weeks, including on a fisherman near the South Platte River, a man sleeping in a park in Aspen, a woman in her home in Steamboat Springs, a man outside his apartment in Eagle-Vail, and a hiker in Snowmass.
CPW said that it has received over 6,000 bear reports this year, nearly double the number from a year ago. Residents are encouraged to report bear activity and conflicts to CPW at 303-291-7227 during normal business hours. After hours, residents should call their local sheriff’s office, or the Colorado State Patrol by dialing CSP (277).
If under immediate threat, call 911, officials said.
“As we continue to navigate this extraordinary bear year, please continue to be vigilant in removing food and trash that may attract bears to your property,” CPW Area Wildlife Manager Jason Duetsch said in the release. “Wildlife officers are working tirelessly to respond to an unprecedented number of bear reports, and we are counting on the community to help mitigate conflict.”
CPW said the unusually high number of bear conflicts are occurring largely because drought has reduced natural food sources.
Bears also are entering hyperphagia, a period before denning when they eat heavily to build up energy reserves. CPW said bears can seek as many as 20,000 calories a day during this period, increasing the likelihood they will take risks to find food in neighborhoods and other populated areas.
CPW recommends the following strategies to stay bear safe, according to a release:
• Stay alert and stay together — Pay attention to your surroundings and stay together. Walk, hike, jog, or cycle with others when possible. Keep kids within sight and close by. Leave earbuds at home and make noise periodically so bears can avoid you.
• Leave no trash or food scraps — Double-bag your food when hiking and pack out all food and trash. Don’t burn food scraps or trash in your fire ring or grill. Leaving scraps, wrappers, or even “harmless” items like apple cores teaches bears to associate trails and campsites with food.
• Keep dogs leashed — Letting dogs chase or bark at bears is asking for trouble; don’t force a bear to defend itself. Keep your dogs leashed at all times or leave them at home.
• Camp safely — Set up camp away from dense cover and natural food sources, and cook as far from your tent as possible. Do not store food, trash, clothes worn when cooking, or toiletries in your tent. Store in approved bear-resistant containers or out of sight in a locked vehicle or suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 10 feet from any part of the tree. (Local regulations vary).
• Know what to do if you see a black bear — If you see a bear before it notices you, don’t approach. Stand still, enjoy, then 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. Stay with your group. If it keeps approaching, use bear spray. If a black bear makes contact with you, do not play dead; fight back aggressively.
• Carry bear spray and know how to use it – Bear spray is proven to be the easiest and most effective way to deter a bear that threatens you. It doesn’t work like bug repellent, so never spray your tent, campsite or belongings.
