Bear Sightings Around Campus and Community

Photo by David Mazel: ASC police department roping off the tree the bear is residing in by Petteys Hall

Nathan Crites-Herren
The Paw Print

During the morning hours of Saturday, Oct. 8 a lone black bear strolled through the campus grounds and climbed up a tree on Edgemont Street.  Campus police, along with the state department of wildlife, responded to the situation providing protection for the bear and humans as the bear relaxed in the tree.  At around 9:30 the bear decided to climb down from the tree and mosey off campus.  Although black bears are usually tame and non-aggressive, there is still need for concern, especially for small pets and children in the campus area.
According to Adams State Chief of Police Joel Shults, the bear could still be in the campus area and is still a real concern for safety among campus and community members.   Rick Basagoitia, area wildlife manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife suggests that campus and community members should try to avoid setting out food for their pets during the night time hours, “the bears usually become more active during dusk and early morning hours,” said Basagoita.
While bear sightings in the Alamosa area are rare, the entire San Luis Valley is bear territory and communities along the valleys hillsides normally have to deal with them during these months.  According to Basagoita, an unusually dry summer might have been a contributing factor to the bear sighting; because of the lack of food the bear might have had to expand its scavenging territory to search for extra food before hibernation sets in at the end of October and early November.
Bears usually eat 20 hours out of the day preparing for their hibernation, making them more likely to take risks to get the food they need.  This means that trash cans and dumpsters are prime targets for hungry bears. “I encourage business and residents to keep their dumpster areas and trash bins clean and secured properly, we don’t want these bears to become accustomed to eating out of the garbage,” said Basagoita.
Other black bear sightings have occurred in the Riverwood sub-division and along the dike trail.  One bear got stuck in a tree late Friday afternoon along the Rio Grande Levee which is heavily used as public trail for runners and walkers. Alamosa police chief, Chief Craig Dodd responded to the stuck bear with other officers, “He hasn’t been aggressive, whatsoever,” Dodd said.
Later that evening the bear climbed down the tree and left the area peacefully.  The bear caused no injury to humans or pets, but just in case Alamosa police waited with tranquilizer guns and shotguns to ensure the safety of the community.  Authorities also issued a reverse 911 call to residents in the vicinity of the bear sightings as a precautionary measure.
Although these bear sightings have all happened in close proximity, it is still unclear if these sightings were of the same bear in the tree at the Adams State campus or if they are different bears altogether.
Campus residents are urged to remain vigilant but since the bear sightings have not been threatening or violent ones, the need for concern is minimal.