A man in his 60s was attacked by a bear in Colorado on Friday, August 21, and was left with severe injuries to his legs, becoming the sixth victim of a bear attack in the state this year.
The man was mauled while making his way back to his car following a day's fishing at the North Fork Trail, near where the Platte rivers converge in Jefferson County. He had been accompanied by a friend at the time.
Attack and rescue
The bear knocked the man off his feet, sending him crashing to the ground, as horrified bystanders looked on while the animal continued its assault for several minutes. Eventually, a group of the man's friends managed to frighten the bear away, and fellow onlookers rallied together to help the man to safety, according to KUNC.
The man was hospitalised following the incident. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers confirmed the man was not carrying any fish at the time of the mauling. The bear was identified as a "subadult sow," or young female, with no cub in tow, reports the Daily Star.
Investigation and response
CPW, working alongside the US Department of Agriculture and Plant Health Inspection Service, deployed a dog team to track the bear by scent. The animal was subsequently located and euthanised, in line with CPW policy regarding animal attacks. A necropsy is scheduled to determine what prompted the attack.
CPW attributes the spike in incidents to the prolonged drought and elevated temperatures, which are compelling bears to venture into unfamiliar territory in search of sustenance. This marks the sixth bear attack of the year, with five occurring in August alone.
Public warnings and prior incidents
CPW noted the rise in attacks coincides with this time of year when bears intensify their feeding behaviour in preparation for winter hibernation. Bears' natural food supplies have become considerably more limited following exceptionally dry conditions, causing some bears to display greater boldness while foraging for food.
Authorities warned the public to remain vigilant when outdoors. They advised against leaving behind rubbish or food remnants, keeping dogs on leads, and stressed the importance of neither approaching nor fleeing from a bear if one is encountered. Authorities also suggest carrying bear spray and being proficient in its use.
On June 21, a hiker was followed and attacked at Apex Park, representing the state's first reported incident of the year, prompting the park's temporary closure. Subsequently on August 17, a man departing a block of flats in Eagle-Vail encountered a female bear which struck his arm, though he successfully escaped. A bear broke through a sliding door in Steamboat Springs during the early hours of the morning, scratching the female homeowner in the face. In Aspen on August 19, a homeless man sleeping in Rio Grande Park was approached by a bear that bit him on the head. He was hospitalised with head and facial injuries.
