Rancher attacked by bear released from hospital

The Park County rancher seriously injured in a grizzly bear attack says the sow was simply trying to protect her cubs and could have killed him if she wanted.

The Powell Tribune reported Friday that 64-year-old Nic Patrick was released from University of Colorado Hospital this week but faces up to five more surgeries. In his first interview since the attack, Patrick said the 400-pound bear came at him twice and said she could have killed him either time.

Patrick was irrigating early on June 20 when the bear went after his dog, then attacked him.

He believes global warming drove the bear out of her normal habitat. He said he hopes she returns to the high country and finds plenty of food and “gets fat and sassy.”