A black bear in the wild.Photo:Getty
Getty
A bear got inside the kitchen of a Colorado hotel Monday night andattacked a security guard, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife said.
CPW officials said the on-duty guard was investigating reports of a bear inside the kitchen at the St. Regis Aspen Resort in Aspen when the attack unfolded.
“While in the kitchen, the security guard surprised the bear as he was going around a corner into another area of the kitchen,” the agencysaid in a news releaseon Tuesday. “The bear attacked the guard, swiping at him and knocking him down to the ground.”
The department said wildlife officers arrived on scene just after midnight local time Tuesday to investigate and search for the bear. According to their investigation, officers learned “the bear had entered the hotel through a series of doors near the courtyard.”
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“Wildlife officers were also able to get a description of the bear, including specific identification markers to assist in locating and properly identifying the bear,” officials wrote. “CPW wildlife officers remained in the area to search for the bear responsible for the attack.”
The St. Regis Aspen Resort.Google Maps
Google Maps
Officers were able to find the bear as of early Tuesday morning. However, they were unable to capture and safely tranquilize the bear due to public safety. Officials said they were going to continue their search Tuesday evening.
The incident, according to the agency, “serves as an unfortunate reminder that bears are still active as they prepare for hibernation.”
“It is common for people to see bears and other wildlife inside Aspen town limits,” the CPW warned. “It is everyone’s responsibility to give wildlife space and remember the importance of being ‘bear aware’ at all times.”
source: people.com
