CPW: Large bear found under family’s deck

(PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo.) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said a family went out to sit on their back deck when they were alerted to a roughly 400-pound bear underneath.

According to CPW, during the week of June 23, a family in Pagosa Springs went out to their back deck and soon heard a loud huffing and moaning underneath their feet. Worried that it was a bear or other wounded animal, the family contacted CPW who found a “very large bear”.

The bear was likely one that had been commonly seen in the area for several years, with a reputation for getting into non-natural food sources. CPW decided to attempt to tranquilize the bear and relocate it.

The sedation was successful, but getting the bear out from underneath the home was a challenge. CPW said the bear was about 10 years old and around 400 pounds, necessitating the help of several bystanders to get the bear out from under the deck and into the bear trap for safe transport.

The bear was finally secured and taken to a bear habitat far from humans and far from where it was captured to give it the best chance at success and abundant natural food.

CPW wants to remind the public, that the best way to keep bears away from residential areas is to always secure trash, and remove bird feeders and all other attractors that might bring a hungry bear into the community.

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