11-27-2007, 10:10 PM
Thanks to the combined efforts of the Fort Collins Police and the Poudre Fire Authority, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) was successful in relocating 3 bears from the city late this summer.
On August 8, a 12-15 year old sow was treed off Vine Ave and Shields Street across from an elementary school. August 18 brought a yearling cub down to the Avery House at Meldrum and Magnolia Streets during the New West Fest. And on August 28, a 4 year old sow weighing 150-160 lbs. was found in Rolland Moore Park, west of Shields. All three bears were monitored by the DOW and the Fort Collins Police, and helped down from the trees with the generous help of the Poudre Fire Authority and their bucket truck.
"We appreciate the efforts of all involved, especially the expertise of the Division of Wildlife. The best news is that the bears are safe and in their natural habitat, said Fort Collins Police Chief, Dennis Harrison.
"When bears come into neighborhoods, there is a lot of excitement and onlookers who can inadvertently cause the bears to move into even more difficult locations," said Dave Clarkson, Area Wildlife Manager, Fort Collins. "Safely capturing and lowering a bear from a tree is a complex process, requiring quick but solid decisions and actions ranging from managing the safety of the public in the area, to concern for the bear's welfare, to the safety of the officers and firefighters up in the bucket truck. The collaboration, planning and communication between the three professions are essential. The smooth teamwork and communication on the ground between the firefighters, police officers and wildlife managers has been impressive. That teamwork has resulted in safe, successful relocation of these animals back to more appropriate habitat."
All three bears were ear tagged and moved 60+ miles away from town in the hopes that they will remain there. They were encouraged to hightail it out of the traps and discouraged from associating humans with a welcome with the use of non-lethal rubber buckshot and yells.
Chief Tom DeMint of the Poudre Fire Authority added, "We enjoyed working with the cooperative crews of the DOW. In addition, while working as a team, we were able to determine the safest plan of action for the bear and the public.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife thanks all of the "˜Bear Aware' citizens of Fort Collins for helping to protect our wildlife resource! For more information on how to help bears stay wild, see our website: Living with Wildlife in Bear Country.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and its habitat, as well as providing wildlife related recreation. The Division is funded through hunting and fishing license fees, federal grants and Colorado Lottery proceeds through Great Outdoors Colorado.
On August 8, a 12-15 year old sow was treed off Vine Ave and Shields Street across from an elementary school. August 18 brought a yearling cub down to the Avery House at Meldrum and Magnolia Streets during the New West Fest. And on August 28, a 4 year old sow weighing 150-160 lbs. was found in Rolland Moore Park, west of Shields. All three bears were monitored by the DOW and the Fort Collins Police, and helped down from the trees with the generous help of the Poudre Fire Authority and their bucket truck.
"We appreciate the efforts of all involved, especially the expertise of the Division of Wildlife. The best news is that the bears are safe and in their natural habitat, said Fort Collins Police Chief, Dennis Harrison.
"When bears come into neighborhoods, there is a lot of excitement and onlookers who can inadvertently cause the bears to move into even more difficult locations," said Dave Clarkson, Area Wildlife Manager, Fort Collins. "Safely capturing and lowering a bear from a tree is a complex process, requiring quick but solid decisions and actions ranging from managing the safety of the public in the area, to concern for the bear's welfare, to the safety of the officers and firefighters up in the bucket truck. The collaboration, planning and communication between the three professions are essential. The smooth teamwork and communication on the ground between the firefighters, police officers and wildlife managers has been impressive. That teamwork has resulted in safe, successful relocation of these animals back to more appropriate habitat."
All three bears were ear tagged and moved 60+ miles away from town in the hopes that they will remain there. They were encouraged to hightail it out of the traps and discouraged from associating humans with a welcome with the use of non-lethal rubber buckshot and yells.
Chief Tom DeMint of the Poudre Fire Authority added, "We enjoyed working with the cooperative crews of the DOW. In addition, while working as a team, we were able to determine the safest plan of action for the bear and the public.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife thanks all of the "˜Bear Aware' citizens of Fort Collins for helping to protect our wildlife resource! For more information on how to help bears stay wild, see our website: Living with Wildlife in Bear Country.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and its habitat, as well as providing wildlife related recreation. The Division is funded through hunting and fishing license fees, federal grants and Colorado Lottery proceeds through Great Outdoors Colorado.