COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife anticipates a significant increase in bear encounters this year, a trend already observed in Colorado Springs. <\/p>\n
This projection is linked to depleted natural food sources caused by a low snowpack. Evidence of this increase includes a recent incident where a local attorney encountered a bear in his office parking garage.<\/p>\n
The mild winter and lack of moisture have forced bears to seek food at lower elevations. This has led to more frequent interactions between bears and humans. <\/p>\n
District Wildlife Manager Demetria Wright explained that bears are actively searching for more accessible food sources.<\/p>\n
Local attorney Dave Ganderton recounted his surprise when he found a bear in his office parking garage. “My staff texted me and was like hey when are you getting here? And I was like hey I’m here. I’m just chasing a bear out of our parking garage,” Ganderton said. <\/p>\n
Ganderton initially mistook the animal for a dog. “I thought I saw a dog. I was like oh my gosh, someone lost their dog. There’s a dog in the parking garage. I got a little bit closer and realized no that’s not a dog. That’s a bear. There’s a bear in the parking garage at my office.”<\/p>\n
Ganderton remained in his car and followed the bear until it exited the garage. “There’s a bear in the parking garage. It’s not something you see every day,” Ganderton commented on the unusual event. <\/p>\n
Wright emphasized that bears’ strong sense of smell is a major factor in their search for food. “They can smell food up to five miles away,” Wright stated. This means odors from trash cans can easily attract them. <\/p>\n
For public safety, Wright provided several tips for encountering a bear. “Your car alarm, is a great way to scare away a bear,” Wright said. She also suggested using noise-making devices, such as a “rattle can,” which is an empty soda can with gravel and duct tape. Bear spray can be effective up to 45 feet. She also recommended using an air horn, a car horn, or one’s voice and making oneself appear large to black bears, noting they are often more afraid of humans. <\/p>\n
Homeowners are advised to remove bird feeders until winter, as bird feed is considered an attractive food source for bears. <\/p>\n
Ganderton humorously added a reminder about the consequences of an encounter. “You can’t sue a bear,” he said.<\/p>\n
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