A black bear and her three cubs entered a Lake City home through a partially open sliding door and attacked a 74-year-old man on October 3, 2024. The man, who sustained significant injuries, tried to fend off the adult bear but was knocked down. All four bears were later euthanized by wildlife authorities. This incident highlights the growing issue of bear-human conflicts due to bears’ access to human food sources. Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed the details.
Newstro Quick Facts
- At 8:30 p.m. on October 3, 2024, a black bear and her three cubs entered the home of a 74-year-old Lake City resident, causing an attack that resulted in significant injuries to the man’s head, neck, arms, and other areas.
- Wildlife officers had previously received only eight official reports of bear activity in Hinsdale County this year, though social media chatter hinted at increased bear sightings and interactions in Lake City throughout the summer and fall months.
- The bear and her cubs were euthanized after climbing trees outside the home. A necropsy is being conducted to check for diseases, and officials emphasize the need to reduce human food attractants to prevent future conflicts.
On the night of October 3, 2024, a 74-year-old man in Lake City, Colorado was attacked inside his own home by a black bear and her three cubs. The bears entered the home through a partially open sliding glass door, startling the residents. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the man grabbed a chair to try and defend himself but was knocked into a wall by the bear before it clawed him. He suffered significant injuries, including wounds to his head, neck, arms, and abdomen. Fortunately, emergency medical personnel were able to treat his wounds on-site, and the man declined hospitalization.
The bear’s cubs remained in the home even after residents tried to scare them away. Law enforcement and wildlife officers arrived shortly after, managing to haze the cubs out of the house. The bears then climbed nearby trees. Authorities confirmed that the same bears were responsible for the attack, and all four animals were euthanized on-site. The carcasses were sent to CPW’s lab for necropsies and disease testing. CPW officials expressed regret over the necessity of euthanizing the bears, noting that they had become dangerously habituated to human environments.
This attack is the first reported in Colorado in 2024, with 96 bear attacks on humans having occurred in the state since 1960. Wildlife officials stress that human behavior, particularly leaving garbage, pet food, and bird feeders easily accessible, is a leading cause of these dangerous encounters. Local CPW officer Lucas Martin emphasized that the bears had likely been drawn to human food sources for some time. Multiple social media posts from Lake City residents had previously noted bear activity in unoccupied homes and garages throughout late summer and fall, although only eight official reports were filed.
CPW warns that such interactions will likely continue unless communities take action to reduce food sources that attract bears. They encourage residents to secure trash, avoid leaving food outside, and immediately report bear activity to authorities. Posting on social media without notifying officials can delay critical intervention, exacerbating the risk of serious incidents. Officials hope this tragedy will serve as a wake-up call for the public to work more closely with wildlife managers to prevent further conflicts between humans and bears.
Definitions Table
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Black Bear | A medium-sized bear species native to North America, known for its opportunistic feeding habits. |
| Lake City | A small town in Colorado known for its proximity to wildlife and natural parks. |
| Colorado Parks and Wildlife | A government agency responsible for managing Colorado’s wildlife and outdoor recreation areas. |
| Necropsy | An animal autopsy performed to determine the cause of death or to check for diseases. |
| Human-Wildlife Conflict | Interactions between humans and wildlife that result in negative outcomes, often due to habitat encroachment. |
| Habituation | The process by which animals become accustomed to human presence, often leading to dangerous interactions. |
| Bearproofing | Measures taken to secure homes, food, and trash from bears to prevent them from accessing human food sources. |
| Social Media | Online platforms where individuals share information, including sightings of wildlife activity. |
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