A woman hiking with her husband on Hunter Creek Trail near Lone Pine Road in Aspen, Colo., encountered a bear walking toward them on the trail Monday morning and attempted to evade it, but the bear didn’t pass peacefully.
“The woman says they tried to give the bear space and stepped off the trail,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife stated. “As the bear walked by, she says it suddenly turned, charged and bit her before it ran off and disappeared from view.”
The unidentified woman was bitten in the thigh, but investigating officers said it did not appear serious. The Aspen Times reported she was taken to Aspen Valley Hospital for treatment.
“Fortunately, these incidents remain very rare,” CPW officer Matt Yamashita said. “But when people and bears interact, it can increase the possibility of a dangerous conflict. This woman was lucky that she was not seriously injured.”
The bear was described as light brown and weighing approximately 200 to 300 pounds. The section of the Hunter Creek Trail up to the Lani White Trail was closed as officials attempted to track down what they termed as “an aggressive bear.”
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A team of dogs was called to the area Monday afternoon in hopes of finding the offending bear but was having difficulty because there were so many bear tracks in the area, according to the Aspen Times.
The search for the bear was called off just after 7:30 Monday night and was to resume Tuesday morning.
“This is an aggressive bear and by policy, we will put it down if found,” Yamashita said. “But until we find it, the public should remember what to do if they see any bear. If it appears aggressive or shows no fear of humans, do not approach it. Haze it away by yelling or banging pots and pans, then call CPW or 911 immediately.”
A necropsy will be performed on the bear if it is found.
Generic photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
