Colorado Parks and Wildlife says bears attacked teen inside condo and woman at campground

Muddy forest trail leading toward snow-dusted mountain peaks

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating two bear attacks over the weekend that left a woman and a teen injured. The first incident happened at the Rio Grande National Forest Park Creek Campground on Friday. Around 5:30 a.m., a bear reportedly bit a woman on her arm through the side of her tent. Emergency services treated her for a puncture wound before she was taken to Rio Grande Hospital for follow-up treatment. The woman told officials that she heard something hit the tent before she was bitten. Although she couldn’t see what attacked her, she said that the animal was large and she heard a growl.

CPW officers found holes in the tent, along with scratches and a paw print in the mud. The campground was already scheduled to close for the season on Sept. 14. However, because of the attack, the park decided to close the campground early. Officers think the bite was an act of surprise, not aggression, and they don’t believe there’s a potential for further threats. Two days later, a 17-year-old from Durango was attacked inside her bedroom at a condo on Escalante Drive. She told CPW that the black bear ripped off the window screen and entered the room through a window that was cracked open.

She woke up and hid under the covers as the bear moved into the room and walked to her bedside. When the bear began sniffing her head under the blankets, she says she made a noise, and the bear swiped her on the stomach. When she screamed and sat up, the bear backed away and went out through the window. However, it immediately came back in. The girl says that she stood up and began screaming, and the bear left for good. Wildlife managers say the blankets protected her, and she treated the three scratches on her stomach herself.

“Based on what we know happened in this encounter, the woman is very lucky she had multiple blankets covering her when the bear swiped her,” said District Wildlife Manager Luke Clancy. CPW is currently looking for the bear, which later broke into another home on Monday. They say the bear poses a health and safety risk, and they intend to catch and remove it. This is the 10th confirmed bear attack this season. Bears are entering hyperphagia, where they bulk up for winter, and the lack of their usual food sources is pushing them into neighborhoods in search of food. 

CPW asked residents to lock their garages, doors and windows and secure anything outside that might attract a bear. That includes bird feeders and any type of food.

Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife says bears attacked teen inside condo and woman at campground – CBS Colorado

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
1 John 2:2

Proverbs 21:23

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. This verse emphasizes that people who carefully watch what they say will protect themselves from serious trouble.…

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Psalm 5:8

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New Mexico man killed in rare fatal bear attack, only second in state in a century

In a rare kind of attack, a bear killed a man in Crystal, New Mexico, on Thursday, local police said. The police department for the Navajo Nation said officers within its Window Rock district received a call at about 1pm that a bear had attacked a man. Authorities shot the bear, and the creature fled into woods near the scene of the attack. They said they ultimately found the bear and “neutralized” the animal. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family at this time,” the Navajo police department said in a Facebook post.

The Native American reservation’s police department said its criminal investigations department as well as its fish and wildlife department also responded to the scene of the fatal attack. They neither identified the victim nor said what type of bear had killed him. The police department said it “urges the public to stay away from potentially dangerous wildlife. If a bear is spotted, please call your nearest [police] District.” Thursday’s fatal bear attack appeared to be the first such case in New Mexico since 2001, according to a comprehensive list with information about bear attacks.

That 2001 case, meanwhile, was the first fatal New Mexico bear attack in a century, the Associated Press reported. The victim in that case was Adelia Trujillo, who was killed by a 250lb male bear that broke into her house. In 2020, a bear attacked a woman in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The 37-year-old woman and her husband were sitting on the deck at a ski lodge when it approached them. The bear came within a foot of the couple and started chasing her and then attacked in the parking lot. Her injuries included “several broken bones, a collapsed lung, bite marks and scratches”, New Mexico wildlife authorities said at the time.

The woman in that case survived, according to KRQE, and authorities reportedly killed the bear. North America generally has only a handful of fatal bear attacks annually. According to the North American Bear Center, a person’s chances of being murdered by a fellow human is 60,000 times greater than dying at the hands of a black bear. National park service statistics indicate that the chances of being injured by a bear is exceedingly rare at one in 2.1m.

Source: New Mexico man killed in rare fatal bear attack, only second in state in a century | New Mexico | The Guardian

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Psalm 118:6

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Baby Bear Nibbles on Photographer’s Boot

Bear cub sniffing a hiker’s boot on a forest trail

A baby bear took a nibble at a photographer after becoming curious about his boot. Wildlife photographer Bruce Robert Danz was in the Katmai Preserve in Alaska on August 2 with another shooter while capturing images of three cubs and a mama bear fishing. But as is sometimes the case with wildlife photography, the bears wandered close to the humans; a little too close. As the cubs emerged from the muddy river, the trio of inquisitive cubs walked past the two photographers. Danz’s companion can be heard saying, “No bear, no bear” as the bears get too close for comfort.

Then one of the cubs couldn’t resist the urge to investigate and started sniffing at Danz’s shoe. The sniff turns into a nibble and Danz quickly pulled his foot away ever so slightly. “No bear, that’s my foot,” Danz says. “Just moving my boot a little was enough to end the interaction and the cub fell back in line,” Danz tells Storyful. Danz was on a photographic tour with Jerry Jacques, who has been leading grizzly bear photo safaris since 1977. “We kept our distance, kept quiet and did not disturb the bears from fishing,” Danz says. “The bears were aware of our presence and occasionally would walk very close to us.” “Jerry said we handled the situation perfectly by not causing alarm,” Danz adds. “Jerry suggested perhaps the cub was tired of salmon and wanted to try some filet of sole. I was not afraid, just intent on keeping quiet and not causing alarm.”

It’s the second time this summer that a photographer has had a close encounter with a grizzly bear in Katmai: photographer Matt Addington got within inches of a grazing grizzly bear, capturing some incredible close-up images. Despite people joking that the bear was eating a salad while preparing for steak, Addington described it as “one of the more peaceful, serene, surreal moments that I’ve ever had.” Similar to what happened to Danz, the bears were initially hundreds of yards away but naturally drifted over to where they were sitting, untroubled by human presence. Katmai is home to 2,000 brown bears and at this time of year, they eat up to 120 lbs of grass a day to prepare for winter hibernation.

Source: Baby Bear Nibbles on Photographer’s Boot | PetaPixel

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:8

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Two people injured in recent bear attacks in Colorado high country

Black bear crossing a suburban street near wooded homes

Colorado Parks and Wildlife says two people were recently injured in separate bear attacks in the high country. On Tuesday, a bear reportedly entered a home in Steamboat Springs near Fish Creek Falls Road. The woman told wildlife officers the bear entered her home through the sliding glass door around 1 a.m., and she attempted to chase it back outside. The bear then struck her in the face. CPW says the woman drove herself to the hospital for treatment and is now recovering at home. Investigators say the bear forced its way through the door and knocked it off its track to get inside the home.

Wildlife officers have alerted the neighbors to take precautions and have set up a bear trap in the area. Another attack happened around 3 a.m. Wednesday in the Aspen area. CPW says a man experiencing homelessness was sleeping in Rio Grande Park when a bear approached and bit him on the head. The man woke up, managed to escape from his sleeping bag, and then escaped from the bear. He called for help and was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries to his head and face. CPW says the man has since been released from the hospital.  Wildlife officers found a female bear in the area matching the description and euthanized her, as per CPW policy.

They say that a full necropsy will be performed on the bear. These most recent encounters follow an attack earlier this week in the Eagle-Vail area. CPW is warning that there have been a record number of bear reports this year due to the ongoing drought. The bears are entering hyperphagia and are searching for food to prepare for winter, but the drought has reduced the availability of their usual food sources.

This is pushing them further into residential areas in search of food sources such as unsecured trash, birdseed, pet food and barbecue grills. Wildlife officials are urging the public to safely secure all possible food sources and keep grills clean. They asked residents to take precautions and to secure all doors and windows, including those on garages, to prevent bears from entering homes. If a bear does enter a home, CPW says the resident should leave immediately and call 911. Anyone experiencing bear issues should contact CPW as soon as possible.

Source: Two people injured in recent bear attacks in Colorado high country – CBS Colorado

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Matthew 24:44

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Bear swipes at man in Colorado apartment complex and scratches his arm

Paramedics treat a man beside an ambulance while a bear crosses a meadow

A bear swiped at a man and scratched his arm on Monday. That’s according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials, who said it happened in the afternoon at an apartment complex in Eagle County. CPW said the man was leaving a laundry room when the bear appeared and scratched him. He then tried to get away and tripped and hurt his foot. The man was treated at a medical center for both injuries and has since been released.

Wildlife officers made an attempt to locate the bear, a female, but so far haven’t been able to find it. They said they set a bear trap in the neighborhood, which is close to Eagle-Vail. “Wildlife officials believe the presence of a larger male bear in the area prompted the sow and cubs to stay away,” CPW wrote in a prepared statement. It has been an above-normal year for bear sightings and conflicts in Colorado.

Source: Bear swipes at man in Colorado apartment complex and scratches his arm – CBS Colorado

In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 56:4

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Warning from wildlife expert after Wisconsin bear attack

Black bear walking on forest floor covered with fallen autumn leaves

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Monday continued to investigate a black bear attack in Barron County that landed a 69-year-old woman in the hospital. What You Need To Know The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Monday continued to investigate a black bear attack in Barron County that landed a 69-year-old woman in the hospital DNR said there are about 24,000 bears in the state. Most of Wisconsin’s bears live in the northern two-thirds of the state The DNR also said black bears are not normally aggressive and will avoid humans as much as they can.

However, bears are known to be aggressive if their cubs are nearby and they feel threatened The woman was able to call 911 around 2 p.m. Saturday after the attack happened. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment. She is currently in stable condition.  Officials said upon arrival, they searched for the bear. They located a cub in a tree. Officials said because of this, they believe the incident revolved around a “sow and cub,” otherwise known as a mother and baby bear. However, it is unknown why the attack happened, officials said.  Officials attempted to track the bear but have been unable to locate it, despite working with a trained bear hound dog. DNR said there is an ongoing effort to find the bear; several bear traps have been set. 

DNR said if captured, “the goal is to euthanize the bear and assess its condition.”  The DNR said the bear “exhibited a sustained series of aggressive behaviors towards the victim.” Black bears, officials said, who are aggressive, are more likely to repeat aggressive behavior. The DNR said its priority is human safety.  “Humane euthanasia is not always the standard practice in human/bear conflicts. Our actions in these types of situations are very carefully determined based upon the totality of the known evidence of each event,” said Randy Johnson, DNR large carnivore specialist. “Although we’re still working to piece together every element of what transpired in this incident, we know enough to warrant attempting to livetrap at the location of the incident and humanely euthanize this bear if captured.” The DNR said if it does capture the cub, it will be released back into the wild. Cubs can survive on their own by this time of year. 

The DNR said it did capture a male bear that was not involved in the attack. It was released.  “I know it can be really concerning when we have an event like this,” said Cady Sartini. “The main thing people need to remember is that black bear attacks are really rare, especially here in Wisconsin.” Sartini is an associate professor of wildlife at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and principal investigator for the Wisconsin Black Bear Project. DNR said there are about 24,000 bears in the state. Most of Wisconsin’s bears live in the northern two-thirds of the state.  The DNR also said black bears are not normally aggressive and will avoid humans as much as they can. However, bears are known to be aggressive if their cubs are nearby and they feel threatened.  Sartini said that while run-ins with a black bear can be few and far between, it’s still important for people to know what to do if they were to come into contact with one. “In most cases, the bear is going to go on about its business and you can go on about your business,” Sartini said.

“The best thing to do is to just back away slowly and let that bear be a bear… If the bear does happen to approach you, a good thing to do is to make yourself look big, make sure the bear knows that you know its there…” The DNR also offered these tips should someone encounter a bear:  If you encounter a bear in your yard or near your home: “Place yourself in a secure area so the bear has a clear escape path “Make a lot of noise by yelling, honking a car horn or banging pots and pans “Consider installing motion-activated water sprinklers, lights or alarms” If you encounter a bear while camping, hunting or hiking:  “Never approach a bear “Do not run “Do not lie down or play dead “Talk to the bear or start shouting if it doesn’t leave “Raise your arms above your head and wave them to appear larger than you are “Slowly back away and don’t turn your back on the bear “Always leave an escape route for the bear “Fight back if attacked”

Source: Warning from wildlife expert after Wisconsin bear attack

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10

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Bear rampages through 2 factories and a residential area in Japan, injuring 4 people

majestic brown bear in autumn forest

A bear attack left four people injured in two factories and a residential area in northern Japan’s Fukushima on Tuesday, police and media reports said. A record 13 people were killed by bears in Japan last year, and there has been a jump in sightings as the animals emerge hungry from hibernation. “A bear-related human injury incident… occurred in Fukushima City, injuring four people,” the prefectural police said in a statement. The bear was first spotted in a car parts factory, prompting an emergency call explaining that “employees had been bitten,” the Yomiuri Shimbun daily reported, citing police and fire department officials. The outlet reported the bear still had not been located.

As the bear continued its rampage, two other people were injured, one in a residential area and the other on the premises of an electronic equipment manufacturer nearby, the Yomiuri said, adding that the animal was thought to have remained inside the factory. The report said one of those attacked was heavily injured, while the rest suffered only mild injuries. In the last fiscal year to March, bear sightings nationwide topped 50,000, more than double the previous record set two years earlier, according to official data. The animals have been seen on airport runways, walking on golf courses, roaming near schools and causing panic in supermarkets and hot spring resorts almost on a daily basis. A bear that rampaged through a supermarket for two days was lured out with food coated in honey, and police said the animal was trapped and later killed.

The problem was so bad that last year the U.S. State Department warned Americans in Japan to be alert for bears.  Record sightings have been reported again this year as the bears emerge from their winter slumber, according to local media. In April, bear attacks killed one person and injured five others, according to the environment ministry. There have also been more than a dozen bear sightings reported on the outskirts of Tokyo this year, with a Russian man in his 30s reportedly mauled as he hiked in the city last month. A Japanese company making ferocious-looking robot wolves is being swamped by orders after record numbers of fatal bear attacks on humans last year.

“Monster Wolf” is an animatronic scarecrow with flashing red eyes that howls and growls menacingly to scare away wild animals.  Scientists say the surge in attacks has been driven by fast-growing numbers of bears, combined with a falling human population, especially in rural areas.

Source: Bear rampages through 2 factories and a residential area in Japan, injuring 4 people – CBS News

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

Finding Strength in God

You don’t have to carry this alone, He is your safe place and your help in every moment of need.  Bible Verse:God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to…

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Apparent bear attack kills missing hiker in Montana’s Glacier National Park

majestic grizzly bear roaring in the wilderness

The body of a hiker who was reported missing has been found by search and rescue crews in Glacier National Park in Montana, park officials said Thursday. His remains were spotted Wednesday about two-and-a-half miles up the Mt. Brown Trail, some 50 feet off the trail “in a densely wooded area with downed timber,” the officials said. “His injuries are consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter,” they said, adding that “wildlife and law enforcement personnel are currently assessing the area for bear activity and any ongoing public safety concerns. The investigation is ongoing.”

reflection on rocks underneath a lake
Photo by Chen Te on Pexels.com

That part of the trail has been closed until the investigation is finished. The National Park Service isn’t releasing the victim’s name until three days after his next-of-kin are notified. The service said Tuesday that a search was being conducted for a Fort Lauderdale, Florida man who was hiking and hadn’t been heard from since Sunday night. On Monday, two hikers were injured in a bear attack at Yellowstone National Park, the first such incident at the park this year. Craig Lerman, a tourist from Maryland, told Cowboy State Daily that he helped one of the injured hikers and said the man was “tore up pretty bad” with cuts all over his body. 

Source: Apparent bear attack kills missing hiker in Montana’s Glacier National Park – CBS Miami

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

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Bear vs. Dorito Bag, Caught on Bear Cam

close up shot of chips

Bear Attacks Dorito Bag 😃

Source: You Tube Bear Cam

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip.
Psalm 18:35-36

2 Army soldiers injured in brown bear attack during Alaska training

close up of a grizzly bear in natural habitat

Two U.S. Army soldiers were injured after being attacked by a brown bear during a training exercise in Alaska, a report said.  The troops from the 11th Airborne Division were hurt Thursday while participating in a “land navigation training event” at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s Arctic Valley training area in Anchorage, Lt. Col. Jo Nederhoed, a spokesperson for the division, told the Anchorage Daily News.  “The safety and well-being of our personnel is our highest priority,” Nederhoed added. “The incident is under investigation, and we are coordinating with local wildlife authorities to ensure the safety of all personnel in the area.” 

Source: 2 Army soldiers injured in brown bear attack during Alaska training | Fox News

Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.
Luke 9:16-17