Current:Home > StocksRekubit-'Aggressive' mama bear, cub euthanized after sow charges at 2 young boys in Colorado -MoneyStream
Rekubit-'Aggressive' mama bear, cub euthanized after sow charges at 2 young boys in Colorado
Robert Brown View
Date:2025-04-08 09:06:44
A black bear and Rekubither cub were euthanized after the sow charged at two boys in Colorado Springs last week, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department has said.
Authorities said that officials received a call for help on the evening of Oct. 4 about a bear attack with injuries involving two boys in a heavily wooded open space in Colorado Springs.
Officers arrived at the scene to discover that an aggressive mother bear had charged at the boys, aged 12 and 13, twice, prompting one of them to run into a tree branch and suffering a minor injury.
Wildlife officials, along with officers of the Colorado Springs Police Department, then searched the area for the bear, estimated to be 150 pounds, and her two cubs.
They were able to locate the sow quickly, who was being aggressive, and euthanized her.
Bobcat on the loose:Animal attacks 2 children, 2 dogs in Georgia in separate incidents
'Tragic':Two people dead after grizzly bear attack in Canada's Banff National Park
Locating the cubs
Authorities then launched a search for the two bear cubs, who were located after an hours-long search in the darkness and heavy brush. They were scared up a tree so they could be tranquilized.
"The goal was to capture them and release them in the mountains in more suitable bear habitat. At their age and weight, the cubs were old enough to survive on their own," said the wildlife department in their news release.
Multiple tactics, including placing a trap above the spot where the bears were first encountered, were employed to capture the two cubs, according to the department.
The two cubs were then taken to CPW offices, where they were tagged for release and given a drug to reverse the tranquilizer. However, one of the cubs never recovered.
The surviving cub was released Friday morning in a remote mountain location.
“This was an unfortunate situation where a sow had become dangerously aggressive toward people instead of being scared of humans,” CPW wildlife manager Tim Kroening said in a statement. “There was no choice but to put it down after it repeatedly charged people."
Kroening added that the death of the cub was a "sad reminder" of why CPW is reluctant to tranquilize wildlife.
"There are many risks involved when tranquilizing wildlife," said the officer.
2nd bear in 3 months:University of Colorado campus closed
What to do if you spot a bear
The National Park Service suggests keeping a few things in mind in case of an encounter:
- Talk in a low, steady voice and do not scream or otherwise act suddenly.
- Make yourself appear as large as possible.
- Travel in groups and pick up small children upon sighting a bear.
- If you encounter a bear in your own yard, do not leave the house. Ensure everyone is secure inside before banging pots or making other loud noises to scare the bear away.
- If you see cubs, be extra cautious. Mother bears are very protective of their young. Do not approach, touch or interact with cubs.
'Surprise encounter':Hunter shoots, kills grizzly bear in self-defense in Idaho
'Chilling':A Florida black bear was caught on video hanging out at Naples yacht club
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.
veryGood! (58)
Related
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- South Carolina governor undergoes knee surgery for 2022 tennis injury
- Rebel Wilson on the sobering secrets revealed in her memoir, Rebel Rising
- K-9 killed protecting officer and inmate who was attacked by prisoners, Virginia officials say
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Botswana threatens to send 20,000 elephants to roam free in Germany in public dispute over trophy hunting
- Julia Stiles Privately Welcomed Baby No. 3 With Husband Preston Cook
- When do new 'Shōgun' episodes come out? Full season schedule, cast, where to watch
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- The Nail Salon Is Expensive: These Press-On Nails Cost Less Than a Manicure
Ranking
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- April nor’easter with heavy, wet snow bears down on Northeast, causing more than 680,000 outages
- NFL Star Vontae Davis’ Final Moments Before Death Revealed by Brother Vernon Davis
- Snowstorm slams Northeast, Great Lakes with mass power outages and travel mayhem
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Cleanup begins at Los Angeles ‘trash house’ where entire property is filled with garbage and junk
- The Best Tinted Sunscreens for All Skin Types, Get a Boost of Color & Protect Your Skin All at Once
- What to know about the latest bird flu outbreak in the US
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Caitlin Clark and Iowa fans drive demand, prices for Final Four tickets
One Tech Tip: How to use apps to track and photograph the total solar eclipse
Tom Felton Reveals Which Scene He Wishes Made It Into Harry Potter
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
Kansas’ governor and GOP leaders have a deal on cuts after GOP drops ‘flat’ tax plan
Panama and Colombia fail to protect migrants on Darien jungle route, Human Rights Watch says
Russia: US shares blame in a concert hall attack claimed by Islamic militants