Bear Attacks Camper At Ruedi Reservoir
BASALT, Colo. (CBS4)- Signs have been posted near Ruedi Reservoir, warning campers of bears after an attack last week.
A camper was sleeping inside a tent when a bear bit him at 3 a.m. on June 17. Rangers said the camper had left food inside his tent and in a cooler right outside of it.
"Looking around the tent on the outside, was pushing on it, which they typically do and in the process the gentleman got bit in the forearm by the bear, through the tent," said Perry Will, a manager with Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Glenwood Springs.
The camper fought the bear and scared him off.
The attack happened at the Dearhamer Campground near the Ruedi Reservoir near Basalt.
"I would venture to say, had they properly stored food at this campsite that evening they would not have had a visitation from the bear," said Will.
Officials have restricted the campsite to "hard-sided campers" only.
"You know when you're out camping and enjoying Colorado this time of year, as everyone is who is out camping, the Forest Service has food storage containers here at the campground, bear-proof trash dumpsters just 30-40 yards away from the campsite. You know, we just encourage people to use those things," said Will.
A bear trap has been placed in the campground to catch the animal.
Will said it's a tough outcome for the animal that was likely lured to the campground, "The bear pays the price for it. Because our policy is, if a bear injures a person, our policy is that bear gets put down."
Wildlife officials said if a campsite doesn't have bear-proof bins, store food away from tents and people in the truck of a car.
