A bear scratched a man walking his dogs Saturday night in central Boulder, according to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife news release.
The man was walking his two dogs on High Street, about four blocks north of Pearl Street near Casey Middle School and the Sacred Heart of Jesus School, around 11 p.m., when he encountered a female bear and her nearby cub.
The bear charged at the man, and, as he tried to run away, he tripped over the dogs’ leashes, CPW officials said. The bear then scratched the man across his back.
The resident, who was not publicly identified, described his injuries as “superficial,” according to CPW.
CPW officers responded to the scene and found an overturned trash can and evidence of bear activity. They searched for the bear and her cub, but did not locate them.
The agency said it was aware of multiple female bears and their cubs in the area over the past few weeks. Bear sightings in Boulder are more common in the late summer and fall as bears prepare for hibernation.
“While bears are trying to bulk up for winter, it’s especially important to stay vigilant about trash so they are not rewarded with non-natural food,” CPW Area Wildlife Manager Jason Duetsch said in a statement.
He said residents should contact CPW if they experience bear conflicts so the agency can provide education and track wildlife movement.
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