Bear Attacks Unsuspecting Security Guard in Hotel Kitchen, Colorado 

In Aspen, Colorado, a troubling incident unfolded when a bear attacked a security guard in a hotel kitchen. When the bear entered the hotel through the courtyard doors, it must have been very alarming and unexpected for everyone involved. Unfortunately for the bear, Colorado Parks and Wildlife could only do the bare minimum.

Rescue to Rest

With the aid of information gathered from security footage from the hotel, wildlife officers successfully identified the bear. They later hazed the bear into a tree at Conner Park and were able to immobilize it using a tranquilizer. The bear was safely removed from the tree with the assistance of an Aspen Fire ladder truck.

Fate of the Bear

It’s disheartening that the bear, which was identified as a boar by CPW, was removed from the area, and the decision to euthanize the bear was made a standard response in such cases of human-wildlife conflict by the agency.  

The Bear Plight

The incident was not an isolated event. A mother bear had to be put down after she charged at two boys in Colorado Springs. Sadly, her cub also passed away after being tranquilized. These incident underscores the ongoing challenges and ethical considerations in balancing human safety with the preservation of wild animals in their natural habitats.   

The video

This video showcases Bear attacking a security guard in a hotel kitchen in Aspen Colorado.

Colorado Bears

It’s important to be mindful of the fact that Colorado is home to an estimated 17,000 to 20,000 bears. Black bears have inhabited the foothills and forests of Colorado since long before pioneers arrived. Despite being called black bears, these magnificent creatures can display a range of stunning colors, including blonde, cinnamon, and brown.

Balancing Wildlife and Human Expansion

Colorado’s human population continues to grow, these bears increasingly have to share their habitat with us. Each time a bear must be euthanized, it represents more than just the loss of that individual animal. It diminishes a part of the wild essence that makes Colorado unique and cherished by so many.

Senses of Colorado Bears

Most Colorado bears are active from mid-March through early November. When food becomes scarce, they find refuge in winter dens. Bears have an incredible sense of smell, 100 times more sensitive than humans, allowing them to detect food from up to five miles away. They are highly intelligent creatures with excellent memories once they discover a food source, they often return to it.

Bear Calories

During late summer and early fall, bears spend up to 20 hours a day feeding to build fat reserves for their long winter hibernation. They can consume up to 20,000 calories daily, sustaining them through 5-1/2 months without eating, drinking, urinating, or defecating.

Bear’s Feeding Frenzy

Bears acquire their feeding habits from their mothers during their formative years as cubs. If a mother bear regularly scavenges for food in trash cans, her cubs are likely to adopt this behavior, which can persist across generations, leading to a cycle of bears relying on human-generated waste as a food source.

Bear Essentials  

In their natural habitat, bears’ diets consist primarily of vegetation, including grasses, leaves, nuts, and berries, making up about 90% of their intake. The remaining 10% of their diet consists of animal matter, which includes meat from sources like deer, elk, rabbits, and sometimes even livestock. The predominant portion of their animal protein comes from insects such as ants, beetles, and larvae, which they forage extensively to supplement their nutritional needs.

Preserving Colorado’s Wild Spirit

Be mindful of foraging areas. If your usual trail crosses berry patches, oak brush, or other known bear food sources, stay vigilant. Make extra noise by clapping or calling out intermittently to alert bears to your presence. This helps prevent surprising them and reduces the risk of unexpected encounters.

Help Keep Bears Wild

Use bear-proof garbage cans and keep domestic or farm animals feeding indoors. Protect beehives with bear-proof fencing. Avoid outdoor feeding, clean barbecue grills thoroughly, and secure bird feeders away from your house.

Bear Aware

Although most bear encounters don’t necessarily lead to attacks, each situation is different and needs to be handled with caution. Try not to startle them, keep chatting or making noise as you move about, and make sure your little ones stick close to you. If you do come across a bear, just take a deep breath, stay calm, and do your best to not show any signs of fear.

Bear Buffet Insights

It’s important to understand that bears are often drawn to human food sources not out of malice, but because they are following their highly sensitive noses to sources of high-calorie food. When bears come across food in residential areas, campgrounds, or communities, they might lose their instinctive wariness towards humans. A bear fixated on getting food might inadvertently harm someone who interferes with its goals.

Conclusion

As Colorado’s bear population navigates increasing urbanization and competition for resources, communities need to prioritize bear-aware practices and wildlife conservation efforts. Balancing human safety with the preservation of these iconic animals requires ongoing vigilance, education, and proactive measures to ensure a harmonious coexistence in Colorado’s natural landscapes.