In a rare and alarming incident, a 74-year-old Colorado man was injured inside his own home after a black bear and its three cubs broke in through a partially open sliding glass door. The attack, which occurred Thursday evening in Lake City, marks the first bear-related attack in Colorado this year, according to officials from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The man attempted to fend off the mother bear, armed only with a chair.
The Unexpected Intrusion
At approximately 8:30 p.m., residents were startled by a loud crash as the bears entered their home. The sudden intrusion sent shockwaves through the household, where they were just moments away from a seemingly normal evening. According to officials, the bears’ entry was both unexpected and alarming, a stark reminder of the wildlife that often shares this rugged terrain. Upon realizing that a bear had entered his home, the injured man bravely responded by grabbing a chair in an attempt to guide the animal back outside. However, the bear was undeterred. In a swift and terrifying moment, it charged at the man, knocking him against the wall.
A Fight for Survival
What ensued was a harrowing encounter. The bear swiped at the man, clawing him on multiple parts of his body, including his head, neck, arms, abdomen, shoulder, and calf. Miraculously, the man managed to survive the attack, receiving treatment at home and declining to go to the hospital despite the severity of his injuries. Authorities noted that the outcome could have been much worse. “It’s certainly lucky we didn’t have a fatality, because it was close,” said Lucas Martin, a state Parks and Wildlife Officer, emphasizing the life-threatening nature of the encounter.
A Community in Shock
When law enforcement and medical personnel arrived on the scene, they found residents locked in a bedroom, understandably frightened by the chaos. Meanwhile, the three cubs remained in the home, adding to the complexity of the situation. A county deputy was eventually able to coax the cubs out, ensuring that no further incidents occurred. However, the resolution came at a tragic cost. The mother bear and her cubs were euthanized after authorities confirmed their involvement in the attack. This decision, though deemed necessary, highlights the difficult choices wildlife managers face in such situations. “It’s a terrible set of circumstances that, unfortunately, our district wildlife managers are routinely faced with,” said Brandon Diamond, the Parks and Wildlife Area Wildlife Manager. “Clearly, these bears were highly habituated and were willing to enter an occupied house with the residents sitting just feet away. When a bear reaches this level of human habituation, clearly a lot of interaction with people has already happened.”
A Growing Concern
Before this incident, Hinsdale County, where Lake City is located, had recorded eight reports of bear activity this year, signaling a potential uptick in human-wildlife interactions. Situated about 255 miles southwest of Denver, Lake City is surrounded by beautiful, rugged terrain that can sometimes lead to encounters between bears and residents. Last year, Colorado saw six bear attacks, illustrating a concerning trend. As human populations expand into bear habitats, the risks of encounters increase, prompting wildlife experts to urge residents to take precautions to minimize attractants. This includes securing trash, avoiding outdoor food storage, and understanding bear behavior.
Navigating the Wild
As the community processes this incident, the balance between wildlife conservation and public safety remains a pressing concern. Encounters like this serve as a potent reminder of the wildlife that inhabits these areas and the need for vigilance and respect in sharing this land.
Please send any feedback to Feedback@animalsaroundtheglobe.com
- Earth’s Rarest Animals - June 14, 2025
- The 5 Most Endangered Animals in North America - June 13, 2025
- 6 Mistakes Dog Owners Make Every Day - June 11, 2025