A bear scratched an Estes Park woman in her 80s and knocked her to the ground early Thursday morning after entering her home, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
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The woman told CPW officers she awoke around 4:30 a.m. to find the adult bear in the kitchen on the second floor of her home on the western side of town.
The bear charged her, scratched her across the stomach and knocked her to the ground, according to CPW. The bear then left the home through a first-floor window.
The woman called 911, and Larimer County Sheriff’s deputies responded. No bear was found at the scene.
The woman sought medical treatment for her abdominal injuries.
CPW has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to assist in locating the bear. The incident comes as wildlife officials report unusually heavy bear activity in Estes Park. Multiple bears have broken into occupied homes and vehicles in the area over the past several days, CPW said.
Wildlife officers have set traps in an effort to remove bears that pose an immediate public safety risk.
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“As we continue to navigate this extraordinary bear year, please continue to be vigilant in removing food and trash that may attract bears to your property,” CPW Area Wildlife Manager Jason Duetsch said in the release. “Wildlife officers are working tirelessly to respond to an unprecedented number of bear reports, and we are counting on the community to help mitigate conflict.”
Colorado is experiencing what CPW has described as an unprecedented year for bear conflicts, largely because drought has reduced natural food sources. Bears are entering hyperphagia, a period before denning when they eat heavily to build up energy reserves.
CPW said bears can seek as many as 20,000 calories a day during this period, increasing the likelihood they will take risks to find food in neighborhoods and other populated areas.
Residents are encouraged to report bear activity and conflicts to CPW.
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