The person attacked by a bear in the Whitewood subdivision in South Routt County has been issued a warning. The Division of Parks and Wildlife charges the person, “Did unlawfully use food to lure a wild bear.”
The attack happened late on the evening of May 30. In records obtained by Steamboat Radio through the Colorado Open Records Act, the Wildlife Health Lab Submission Form stated, “The bears, sow and two young-of-year cubs, have been frequent visitors to the listed address due to high amounts of bird seed and bird feeders. Attack victim noticed their garage door where they keep large bags of bird seed was open and the motion lights were on inside the garage. Victim approached the garage to close everything up and noticed the two cubs and then the sow inside the garage. Victim attempted to back away slowly and was attacked by the sow resulting in serious bodily injury. Bear returned to the house at approximately 1:20 a.m. where it was euthanized by firearm by officers.”
The reports also confirm that there were cameras on the property and the homeowner, “provided Colorado Wildlife Officer Kyle Bond with multiple videos from their home security system that showed the majority of the attack, and other bears on the property.”
Other comments from the reports include that a Reverse-911 call was made to neighbors in the area that there was a dangerous bear at large and to remain in their homes.
Also in the reports were multiple neighborhood emails circulating about not feeding the bears and the wildlife, and evidence of such. One neighbor wrote, “Don’t feed the animals, birds, cats, dogs, etc. outside. No salt licks for the deer! Remember the lion activity a few years ago? The Rangers warned us a number of times and finally trapped one because neighbors attracted the deer with licks and other food. You are only endangering yourself and the whole community by your thoughtless behavior! Don’t leave any feed outdoors!! The birds and bees will be just fine this time of year with out. Let them do their own thing. Always be aware, you live in the country for a reason.”
Attempts were made to trap the two bear cubs at the time of the incident. They were eventually caught in late August and transported to a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Silt.
After the sow was euthanized, it was taken to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Health Lab in Fort Collins where the necropsy was performed by wildlife veterinarian Dr. Mary Wood. “Presented for necropsy is an approximately 6-8 year old female black bear in good body condition (185 pounds). The stomach is bulging with abundant birdseed and a small amount of grass.” The report went on to discuss the multiple (euthanizing) gunshot wounds.
On May 31, CWO Bond called to check in with the homeowners to see when they could meet, but was informed they would be going back to California to recover. CWO Bond agreed that he needed time to heal and recover and offered counseling services if needed at any point. On Aug. 27, CWO Bond checked in with the family on when they could meet and they “stated that he was still in California undergoing medical procedures and working.”
On Oct. 2, CWO Bond met with the man who was “recovering well,” and they went through what he remembered at the scene. CWO Bond informed him, “that due to multiple sources within the neighborhood detailing intentional feeding of the bears that he would be issuing him a written warning (F269861) as mandated by Colorado State Statute for the following: 33-6-131(1) CRS as Amended, Did unlawfully use food to lure a wild bear — WARNING.
The redacted report went on to say, “Mr. ___ understood yet maintained he and ___ never intentionally fed bears. Both ___ and ___ were cooperative throughout the entirety of the investigation. ___ was in good spirits and has recovered very well since the incident. Both he and ___ have taken steps to secure the property including installing an electric fence, cleaned the yard of birdseed, and are exploring other methods to attract songbirds.”
