A 100-pound male bear was tranquilized and relocated from Denver's Platt Park neighborhood after being spotted in a tree.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers responded to Denver's Platt Park neighborhood on Sunday morning after a 100-pound male bear was spotted in a tree near Louisiana Avenue and Pennsylvania Street. The 18-month-old bear was tranquilized and captured by officials, who then relocated the animal to a more suitable mountain habitat. Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, stated that the agency was unsure how the bear reached the city, as there had been no prior reports of bear activity in the area. Wildlife officials noted that the state is experiencing nearly double the number of bear encounters this year compared to the same period last year. This increase is largely attributed to drought conditions that have reduced natural food sources, forcing bears to move closer to human-occupied areas. Authorities warned residents that unsecured trash and pet food can cause bears to lose their natural fear of people, potentially leading to property damage and public safety issues.