Man recovering from injuries after being attacked by bear in Jefferson County

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- A man is recovering from leg injuries after being attacked by a bear in Jefferson County over the weekend.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) says the man, who is in his 60s, was attacked around 8 p.m. Friday while walking to his car after fishing near where the Platte rivers connect. Officials say he did not have any fish in his hands at the time of the attack.

According to witnesses, the bear knocked the man to the ground and bit his legs. CPW says the attack continued for several minutes before people were able to scare the bear away. The man was then taken to a hospital with leg injuries.

CPW, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Plant Health Inspection Service, responded with a dog team and tracked the bear by scent. The bear was located and euthanized early Saturday morning, in what CPW says is part of its policy.

CPW says the bear, a female, showed no signs of nursing, and no cubs were found in the area. According to officials, this is the sixth reported bear attack this year. CPW says the attack comes during the part of the year where bears tend to increase activity as they prepare for winter.

Bears' natural food sources are more scarce after a historic drought year, so bears may become bolder in finding more calories, according to CPW.

Officials are reminding people to stay alert while outdoors, including staying alert, not leaving behind trash or food scraps, keeping dogs leashed, camping safely and to not approach or running away from a bear if spotted.

Officials also recommend carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it.

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