Wildlife officers successfully tranquilized and relocated a young black bear after it was found in a tree in Denver on Sunday. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers responded to the animal near Louisiana Avenue and Pennsylvania Street in the city.
The approximately 1.5-year-old male bear, weighing about 100 pounds, was sedated and safely caught by officers and Denver Police Department personnel as it fell from the tree. CPW stated that while the landing was not smooth, the bear was unharmed and would be transported to a more suitable habitat for release.
This incident occurs amidst a reported increase in bear activity in Colorado. CPW data indicates a significant rise in bear sightings and conflicts in 2024 compared to the previous year. Between January 1 and August 13, CPW received 6,129 reports, a notable increase from 3,115 during the same period in 2023. Agency officials attribute this surge to drought conditions, which are reducing natural food sources and compelling bears to venture into residential areas in search of sustenance.
CPW has advised residents to take preventative measures, such as securing trash until pickup, removing bird feeders, and ensuring vehicles and homes are locked to deter bears from accessing potential food sources. The agency also noted that bears become more active as they prepare for winter, increasing their efforts to build fat reserves.
This encounter follows another recent event where a mother bear and her cub were found in Denver's Harvey Park neighborhood and subsequently tranquilized and relocated after remaining in the area for several days.
