Bear proofing: Every Boulderite’s responsibility

Unfortunately bears sometimes find their way to human-provided food, as we learned Tuesday evening with bears visiting homes in Pinebrook Hills.  Usually these encounters result in little more than a mess to clean and story to tell, there is however always potential  risk to humans and to bears.   As always, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) implores the citizens of Boulder, especially those west of Broadway, to remove attractants that entice bears to come to homes. Guided by sense of smell, bears cannot resist the lure of birdfeeders, grease-covered grills, and easily available garbage and pet food, and having had a taste it is nearly impossible to get them to return to natural food items.  It is difficult to capture and move bears back into pristine areas where encounters with humans cannot occur.

Please understand: bears that become addicted to human food stray away from natural instincts and become quite bold.  Sadly, in the end bears pay the ultimate price.  Having lost their fear of humans there is no other choice than to kill habituated bears to ensure public safety.

The needless deaths of Colorado bears can be avoided by ALL citizens working together to help bear proof all homes in bear habitat.  Make changes at your home, remind your neighbors as well–take down birdfeeders until winter, keep garbage in, clean outdoor grills and eating areas with ammonia, and close up and lock all entry points to garages, homes, and vehicles.

If you care about wildlife, public safety, or both– visit our web site www.wildlife.state.co.us/bears to learn simple steps that you and your neighbors can take in bear proofing your community.

Be bear aware–a bear’s life may depend on it!

Larry Rogstad, Area Wildlife Manager, Boulder

Colorado Division of Wildlife

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