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5/2/2000 Colorado Division of Wildlife
Every summer the Division of Wildlife's field officers must relocate
and sometimes destroy habituated black bears because people living or
camping in bear country often fail to take basic precautions and
proactive measures to avoid conflicts.
The Division's bear policy emphasizes providing the public with
information on how to avoid a black bear encounter by removing all
possible bear attractants, and uses trapping and relocation as
infrequently as possible for bears that continue to pose a problem. Part
of the Division's directive is to kill a problem bear the second time it
is trapped - the so called "two strikes" of the policy.
When wildlife managers are called to a home or campsite about a bear
problem, they first look at what attracted the bear in the first place.
If they notice trash, pet food, bird feeders, grease-encrusted barbecue
grills or other lures, they explain what the homeowner or camper needs
to do to prevent any future problems. Unless the bear is considered a
threat to human safety, officers will generally not trap the bear until
all trash and food are removed. If the bear continues to pose a problem,
wildlife officers will trap and relocate the bear as a second to last
resort.
Trapping and moving bears also takes a lot of time and is an expensive
process. Relocating a bear is not always successful because of the
animal's ability to travel long distances. "A high percentage of
bears will go right back to the area that they were trapped and become
an even bigger problem," said Melody Miller, district wildlife
manager in west Durango.
"It's difficult to break a bear of the habit of going after bird
seed, garbage and other bear attractants," Miller said. "Once
a bear becomes addicted, it will keep going after that easy food
source." she said.
Also, if we have to relocate a problem bear, depending on the area, the
animal's chance of surviving decreases," Miller said. Bears that
are relocated are often placed in another bear's territory. This can
create competition for food and another bear's territory, which could
lead to the bear being chased off or killed by another bear that
inhabits the area, Miller explained.
When a wildlife officer is called upon to trap a bear that persists to
be a problem, and for the second time, the Division's policy is to
destroy the animal.
"As wildlife officers we don't like to have to kill the
animal," said Pat Tucker, area wildlife manager in Glenwood
Springs. "People cause the deaths of these animals by not changing
their behavior and habits. In most cases, it's up to them to keep bears
out of trouble and thus from having to be destroyed." he said.
 What
to do if you meet a black bear:
• Stay calm. If you see a bear and it hasn't seen you, calmly leave
the area. As you move away, talk aloud to let the bear discover your
presence.
• Stop. Back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye
contact as bears may perceive this as a threat. Give the bear plenty of
room to escape. Wild bears rarely attack people unless they feel
threatened or provoked.
• Speak Softly. This may reassure the bear that no harm is meant to
it. Try to show no fear.
• Coming between a female and her cubs can be dangerous. If a cub is
nearby, try to move away from it.
• Be alert - other cubs may be in the area.
• Fight back if a black bear attacks you. Black bears have been driven
away when people have fought back with rocks, sticks, binoculars and
even their bare hands.
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