by Liz Childers
“A black bear in Colorado has been euthanized after attacking a boy at a campground near Leadville, CO.
Rick Voss, 13, was camping with his family when the black bear entered his tent and began sniffing around. Wildlife officials said it had rummaged through coolers and eaten food prior to entering the tent.
Voss was asleep when the bear entered his tent and said it began to sniff all over his body, while he stayed still. The bear tried to drag Voss outside of the tent, causing deep bite injuries to his leg.Voss’s cousin, who was also in the tent, ran for help when the bear bit down. The bear chased the other boy, who hid in a trailer until the bear was gone.Voss was taken to the local hospital, treated for the deep lacerations and released. He’s expected to recover fully.A Park official told CNN: “We manage wild bears for a healthy and thriving population, but when an individual bear enters a tent and attacks a sleeping person, we manage that animal to protect the public safety.” There are an estimated 12,000 black bears on Colorado public land.
The incident occurred at the Quail Mountain Recreation Area, where the Colorado Bowhunters Association was holding its annual jamboree. Due to the jamboree, the campground was heavily populated at the time of the attack. Park officials announced that the bear would have to be killed because of the dangerous aggression demonstrated by entering the populated area.
Using 10 dogs, park officials tracked and found the bear by late afternoon on the same day. The 200-pound black bear was euthanized that night.
Wild bears can develop a taste for human food and garbage. Knowing and performing proper storage of these items keeps you and the bear safe. Always keep food and garbage away from your sleeping area and tie it up in a tree where the bear cannot reach it. Carry garbage with you and never leave it at a campsite.”
