Colorado is witnessing an unprecedented surge in bear-human conflicts, with two more attacks reported in the southwestern regions. The incidents, occurring near South Fork and Durango, have raised concerns about the increasing interactions between bears and humans.
The first incident took place near South Fork, where a woman camping in the Rio Grande National Forest was bitten through her tent. The second incident occurred in Durango, where a black bear entered a condo through a screened window and scratched a 17-year-old girl. These attacks bring the total number of bear-human conflicts this year to a record high.
South Fork Incident: A Surprise Encounter
At approximately 5:30 a.m. on Friday, a woman camping in the Park Creek Campground felt a bump against her tent. Moments later, she was bitten through the fabric and heard a growl. Wildlife officers found a puncture wound on her right arm, consistent with a black bear bite. The campground was subsequently closed for the rest of the weekend and the season.
Area Wildlife Manager Rick Basagoitia noted that the bite was likely an act of surprise rather than aggression. “There is no history of conflict or damage. This location is isolated and now closed. The potential for threat is never zero, but it is significantly reduced in this situation,” he stated.
Durango Incident: A Bear Invades a Condo
In Durango, a black bear entered a condo through a slightly open window with a screen. The bear ripped off the screen, pushed the window wider, and climbed inside, yanking down a curtain as the 17-year-old girl woke up. The girl pulled blankets over her head, but the bear began sniffing around her shoulders. As she made a noise, the bear huffed and swiped at her, leaving three scratch marks and bruising on her stomach.
District Wildlife Manager Luke Clancy emphasized the girl’s luck in having multiple blankets covering her. “Based on what we know happened in this encounter, the victim is very lucky she had multiple blankets covering her when the bear swiped her,” he said.
Factors Driving the Increase in Bear Attacks
The record number of bear-human conflicts this year can be attributed to drought and the scarcity of natural food. Bears need approximately 20,000 calories a day to prepare for hibernation, driving them into campgrounds, condo complexes, and towns in search of easy meals like trash, dog food, and bird feeders.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has reported thousands of bear sightings and encounters this year. Nearly 300 black bears have been euthanized, and another 98 have been relocated due to conflicts with humans. The agency defines a bear attack as an incident where a bear injures or kills a person.
Wildlife officials have set a trap in Durango to capture the bear that entered the condo, as it has demonstrated aggression and poses an ongoing threat. Residents are advised to secure their doors and windows and remove any attractants that might lure bears into residential areas.
