Key facts
- Incident date
- Monday, around 3 a.m.
- Locations
- Birket Drive and Hillside Avenue, west Durango
- Bear reports (CPW)
- 485 as of July 29
- Bear-related calls (DPD)
- 138 as of July 29
- Citations issued
- 1 formal, 15 verbal, 11 written
- Cause
- Second consecutive summer of natural food failure
Background
Durango, Colorado, is experiencing an unusually high number of black bear break-ins this summer, driven by a second consecutive year of natural food failure at higher elevations, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). John Livingston, Southwest regional spokesperson for CPW, said bears are breaking into homes in La Plata County on a nightly basis.
A late spring freeze, combined with drought, led to a total food failure below 7,500 feet, forcing bears to seek food in urban areas. CPW conducts annual wildlife food crop assessments, and while this year's data is still being analyzed, Livingston said the agency is confident this will be one of the worst natural food production years on record for La Plata County.
Current situation
Around 3 a.m. Monday, a black bear broke into two homes in west Durango—on Birket Drive and nearby Hillside Avenue—in search of food. Melanie Gonzales, whose home was the first entered, described seeing the bear's claws and head coming through the kitchen window. The bear then entered a neighbor's home on Hillside Avenue, where homeowner Mark Emery hit it with a frying pan after it half-charged him. The bear, estimated at 300 pounds, ripped through a window and exited. Police tased it twice, but it remained at large as of Tuesday.
As of July 29, the CPW office in Durango had received 485 bear reports in La Plata County, an increase of more than 100 compared with the same time last year. The Durango Police Department had received 138 bear-related calls. Break-ins have been reported in Dalton Ranch, Island Cove Mobile Home Park, and in and around town.
| Agency | Number of reports/calls |
|---|---|
| CPW Durango office | 485 |
| Durango Police Department | 138 |
Impacts
The increased bear activity has led to property damage and safety concerns for residents. Families in both homes were awakened by what sounded like break-ins, and one homeowner faced a bear charging at him. The bear's actions have prompted responses from both CPW and local police, including the use of non-lethal tasers.
In response, Durango police are moving to formal enforcement. As of July 29, DPD had issued one formal citation, 15 verbal warnings, and 11 written warnings. Amanda Garrison, DPD spokesperson, said the patrol effort is entering a citation phase, and the community should expect more citations for unsecured trash and other preventable wildlife attractants.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If natural food production remains low, bear break-ins could continue or increase in the coming weeks. CPW and local agencies are emphasizing public education about bear-proof trash cans and deterrent measures. If residents secure trash and remove attractants, the number of incidents may decrease.
However, if the food failure persists into the fall, bears may continue to seek food in urban areas, leading to more conflicts. The effectiveness of increased citations and public cooperation will be key in managing the situation. If enforcement and education efforts succeed, the frequency of break-ins could decline.
Source: durangoherald.com
खबर को बेहतर समझें
आंकड़े, तुलना और घटनाक्रम—एक ही जगह, बिना अनुमान के
Bear reports and calls in La Plata County (as of July 29)
Durango Police Department138
सटीक आंकड़े देखें
| श्रेणी | Number of reports/calls |
|---|---|
| CPW Durango office | 485 |
| Durango Police Department | 138 |
स्रोत:durangoherald.com स्रोत-समर्थित
