‘Not natural bear behavior’: Repeat bear burglar prompts warning to Coloradans
DENVER (KDVR) — Wildlife officers are warning the public about bears becoming more habituated and losing their natural fear of humans in Colorado.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife said bears avoid humans and homes unless they learn to view humans as a source of food.
CPW concerned about increased bear conflict, asks public to ‘do their part’
“Then they become aggressive and potentially dangerous,” CPW said in a post on X. “They will go up to a house, rip open windows and doors to get food. This is not natural bear behavior.”
Some ways that bears become habituated is when humans provide them with food, or when humans fail to properly secure trash that can attract bears.
The warning comes just over a week after CPW said it was concerned about increased human-bear conflict well ahead of hyperphagia. Along with the warning, CPW shared photos of what can happen when bears get habituated:
A habituated bear broke into a garage near Colorado Springs and made a mess in search for food. (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) A habituated bear broke into a garage near Colorado Springs and made a mess in search for food. (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) A habituated bear broke into a garage near Colorado Springs and made a mess in search for food. (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) A habituated bear broke into a garage near Colorado Springs and made a mess in search for food. (Colorado Parks and Wildlife)
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The agency said a habituated bear broke into a garage in a neighborhood near Colorado Springs, damaging two garage doors. CPW added that once a bear learns how to enter a garage or home, “it becomes an immediate threat to human health and safety.”
The bear was also caught on camera searching a nearby barbeque grill, grabbing the cover with its mouth and dragging the grill on its side.
“We urge everyone to bring in bird feeders each evening, secure garbage, pet food and other attractants away from animals. Clean your barbecue grills after each use. Bears have powerful noses and are extremely strong animals,” CPW said in a post on X.
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Keep bears out of the house with CPW’s bear-proofing tips:
Close and lock doors and windows
Guard windows with bars
Keep garage doors closed
Keep car doors and windows closed and locked
Remove tree limbs near decks and windows
Install round door handles
Play talk radio when you leave home to deter bears
More bear safety and bear-proofing tips can be found on the CPW website.
CPW said storing food, dog food or bird feed in the garage can also attract bears, as well as anything with an odor in cars or garages, including (but not limited to) scented candles, air fresheners, soaps, lotions and lip balms.
If you spot a black bear near your home, you can call your local CPW region or submit a form online.
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