Bear spotted eating straight from trash can in Colorado city. Why that’s concerning
A bear was spotted with its entire head stuck straight into a trash can in an urban area of a Colorado city, a photo shows.
While it looks like a silly or innocent moment, the bear was likely trying to get a morsel to eat, which can eventually cause it to lose its fear of people, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a Sept. 17 post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Head in the clouds? No, this bear has its head in a trash can. With trash in it. In the city,” the agency said. “Bears are gonna bear, people are the solution. Change your habits and be Bear Aware.”
The bear was spotted recently in Glenwood Springs, about a 155-mile drive west of Denver.
The agency shared tips in a news release on bear-proofing homes, cars and campsites and protecting animals such as chickens, bees and livestock as bears enter hyperphagia during the fall season.
Bears in hyperphagia spend up to 20 hours a day in search of food, trying to eat as much as possible to fatten up for winter, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said.
“In the coming months, it is critical that people are vigilant and proactive in removing all attractants from outside homes and campsites in order to prevent conflicts and encounters with black bears,” the agency said. “Over half of bear incident reports in 2023 occurred in the months of August, September and October. And as bears begin this annual quest to prepare for winter and hunt for food, Coloradans may see more bear activity in urban areas.”
Most bear conflicts stem from “attractants such as trash, bird seed, pet food, and barbecue grills,” the agency said. “When bears become too comfortable around people, they can destroy property or even become a threat to human safety.”
To bear-proof your home:
Keep garbage secured and only put it out the morning of trash pickup.
Use ammonia to regularly clean garbage cans to keep them from smelling like food.
Keep garage doors closed and store pet food or stock feed indoors.
Use bear-resistant trash cans or dumpsters.
Don’t hang bird feeders between April 15 and Nov. 15, when bears are most active. Try flowers or water baths instead.
Don’t let bears become comfortable around your home, and scare them away if you see one by yelling, throwing items and making loud noises.
Bears are attracted to the smell of rotting food, so secure compost piles.
Clean grills after every use and “clean up thoroughly after cookouts.”
Don’t let fruit from trees rot on the ground.
Talk to neighbors and kids about taking precautions to avoid attracting bears.
While traveling or camping:
Lock your doors overnight and when you’re not home.
Keep ground-level windows closed when you’re away.
Don’t keep any food in your car, and roll up windows and lock doors.
Lock all food and coolers in a car while car-camping.
Keep your camp clean in general, whether you’re at a campground or in the backcountry.
In the backcountry, hang food 100 feet or more from your campsite and “don’t bring any food into your tent.”
Cook far from your tent and wash dishes thoroughly.
To protect chickens, bees and livestock:
Keep all animals in a fully covered enclosure, especially after dark.
Use or build electric fencing if possible.
Store livestock feed indoors.
Keep animal enclosures clean to cut down on odors.
Soak rags in ammonia or Pine-Sol and hang them around the enclosure to deter bears.
This story was originally published September 19, 2024 at 11:16 AM with the headline "Bear spotted eating straight from trash can in Colorado city. Why that’s concerning."
