Colorado family discovers bear under deck

A Pagosa Springs family found a bear under their deck last week, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).

CPW Officers Cody Rarick and Nate Martinez responded to the call. According to an X post from CPW Southwest Region, the bear was likely one that had been commonly spotted for years, with a reputation for getting into non-natural food sources. Officers Rarick and Martinez sedated the bear with a tranquilizer dart to relocate it.

The officers estimated the bear to be approximately 400 pounds, so getting the bear out from under the deck was a challenge and required help from several bystanders.

The bear was relocated into the "ideal bear habitat," where it will have its best chance at success and find abundant natural foods.

CPW took the incident as an opportunity to remind people that the best way to keep bears away from residential areas is to secure trash and remove bird feeders and other attractants. Find more information about living in bear country here .

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