Stunned locals in Aspen gawk at massive bear wandering around farmers’ market as it pillages bread shop
A black bear wandered through Aspen’s farmers’ market last week and ate breads and pastries from Louis Swiss Bakery’s display, drawing the attention of shoppers. Police eventually moved it on, and the bear climbed a tree near a Moncler shop before leaving; the episode shows how bears seeking food can enter busy town centres.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife says bears are currently in hyperphagia, a period of intense feeding before winter when they may spend up to 20 hours a day seeking as many as 20,000 calories. The agency recorded 6,129 bear sightings from January to mid-August. Drought has reduced natural food such as berries and acorns, prompting bears to look further afield, including in human settlements.
- A bear raided a bakery stall at Aspen’s farmers’ market.
- Police shooed it away after it climbed a nearby tree.
- Drought and autumn feeding are driving more bear searches for food.
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Bears in Colorado are increasingly wandering into towns and residential areas seeking food. Such encounters are becoming more frequent and have drawn attention from wildlife authorities and local communities. The issue reflects broader environmental and seasonal pressures on the state's bear population.
The bears are currently in hyperphagia, a natural phase before winter when they must acquire enormous quantities of food to survive. During this time, they can spend up to 20 hours a day searching for sustenance and need to consume around 20,000 calories daily. A severe drought has drastically reduced the availability of natural food such as berries and acorns, forcing bears to venture into towns and villages in search of alternatives.
The problem has become widespread across Colorado. The state's Parks and Wildlife agency recorded 6,129 bear sightings between January and mid-August this year, indicating how common these encounters have become. This sharp rise has prompted wildlife authorities to closely monitor and manage the situation.