A bear entered a Colorado Springs home through an open back door on July 21 and was captured on security camera footage raiding the kitchen. The animal was seen eating Flintstones vitamins left on a table and rummaging through a trash can before being scared away.
The family's 8-year-old daughter, Zara Lee, discovered the bear after hearing a bang. Her father followed to investigate and, along with the daughter, managed to chase the animal out by making noise and opening the door.
According to the homeowner, Nerissa England, the back door was left open to allow for a breeze due to hot temperatures. The bear apparently entered the home seeking food.
Bears have been entering homes in record numbers across the United States, attributed to a dry winter that depleted natural food sources such as plants, grasses, and berries. This scarcity has led bears to seek out human food, resulting in increased human-wildlife encounters, some of which have led to the animals being euthanized or killed.