3 bear rescues in Colorado Springs this week highlight start of more active fall period
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The tranquilizing and relocation of a large bear Thursday should be a reminder that the animals are entering a more active period during which they search for food to add weight before winter hibernation.
The bear was in a homeowner's tree near Austin Bluffs Open Space -- not far from Interstate 25 and North Nevada Avenue -- and weighed around 350 pounds, according to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
"That's larger than we normally see bears at this time of the year," said Frank McGee, of CPW.
It took more than two hours for five CPW employees and three construction workers to subdue the bear and relocate him to the mountains near Trinidad, which provides a better environment for the animal.
On Monday, the rescue of a bear cub from a tree created interest and excitement in Acacia Park . The cub is now being cared for at a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Wetmore.
"That cub had recently been seen with its mother," McGee said. "We don't know what happened to her."
On Sunday, CPW rescued another bear cub from a tree near I-25 and Fontanero Street, after the cub walked across the freeway there. However, the cub had injuries requiring it to be euthanized.
McGee said because of the drought in Colorado, natural food sources such as acorns are less available to bears this season.
"Many bears are looking for trash or garbage," he said. "But on the west side of town and in Manitou Springs where many of the bears are, there are now ordinances asking people to use bear-proof trash containers. That's why we're seeing more bears wandering around in search of food."
McGee said it's unclear if the cubs were abandoned because their mothers can't find enough food.
"I think the bears around here will eventually find enough food on their own," he said. "Natural food sources are down but not completely gone as they were a few years ago. Bears just may have to work harder to find food this season.
CPW asks that you keep trash and garbage indoors or in bear-proof containers, avoid leaving bird seed, dog food and other edibles outside, and don't break the law by feeding bears.
"We had to remove the large bear because it was getting into trash and also had tried to enter some vehicles," McGee said. "We don't want to do anything that helps bears associate people with food. The best thing for us to do was relocate it before it became a bigger problem."
Today's bear #rescue was in central #ColoradoSprings near the Austin Bluffs Open Space where a 350-pound boar was becoming a nuisance, getting into trash and causing problems. When @COParksWildlife officers arrived it was 25 feet up a tree. It huffed and threatened. (1 of 5) pic.twitter.com/6ilV3bqwYz
— CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) September 4, 2020
To learn what you should do if you encounter a bear, visit: https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Education/LivingWithWildlife/CampingHikingInBearCountry.pdf.
