COLORADO, USA — Just over a third of all conflicts between humans and bears in 2020 were connected to human trash, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said on Wednesday.
Of the 4,943 bear reports received last year, CPW said 1,661 involved trash as a documented attractant.
Some of the other main causes of conflicts reported in 2020 were bird feeders (411 reports), livestock (391 reports) and unsecured chicken coops (254 reports).
After learning a house or neighborhood can provide calories in the from of trash and bird feeders, CPW warns that the next place bears look could be open garages, pet food on the deck or breaking into a car.
CPW also documented 362 reports of bears breaking into homes, cabins, dwellings and closed garages.
"If residents want to take action to keep Colorado’s bears safe, securing their trash and not having a birdfeeder out from March until after Thanksgiving is the most important step that should be made." CPW said.
> Video above from July: Jefferson County deputies rescue bear cubs from dumpster.
Overall, there was a slight decrease from the 5,369 bear reports filed in 2019, CPW said.
Below full list of reported incidents in 2020 from CPW:
“Unfortunately I would classify 2020 as a fairly ‘normal’ year for bear activity,” Area 8 Wildlife Manager Matt Yamashita said. “‘Unfortunate’ is in reference to the still substantial number of conflict bear calls across the state."
Reports increased in the southeast by 23.6% and in the northeast by 6.3%, but decreased in the northwest by 23.6% and in the southwest by 18.6%.
CPW also released a list of bears euthanized and relocated since 2015:
- 2020: 120 euthanized, 89 relocated
- 2019: 92 euthanized, 44 relocated
- 2018: 63 euthanized, 24 relocated
- 2017: 216 euthanized, 109 relocated
- 2016: 36 euthanized, 16 relocated
- 2015: 65 euthanized, 40 relocated
CPW said breaking into homes is the leading cause of bears being put down.
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