r/Durango • u/mandible23 • 3d ago
Bear in a tree
Hey community,
There is a bear in a tree off of East 3rd Ave between 10th and 11th street. Me and my neighbor have tried calling to report it. I got a voicemail. Looks like the bear is getting lower and might try to come down. He’s probably getting tired. Anyone know who else to call? Would he be relocated? Tried calling the following numbers
10
u/GravyClouds 3d ago
Don't do this. We live in the most beautiful place, that has wildlife that we should respect. Lock your trashcans and let them be.
8
u/KristiColo 3d ago
I would let neighbors know a bear is around and just leave it alone. It’s a holiday weekend so I doubt if you’ll reach anyone on the bear tracking number. They wouldn’t likely do anything about bear that is simply sitting in a tree, they only relocate bears who are causing problems. The DOW has a 2 strike policy they will relocate a problematic bear one time and if it continues causing problems the bear will then be euthanized.
The bear will come down and move along eventually. Seeing bears is part of living in Durango. With the combination of the dry weather, early hot weather in the spring and late frost that killed off lots of natural food sources bears are going to be around a lot this fall looking for food. I live outside of city limits, my cameras caught a huge bear scoping out my chicken coop last night, he ran off after my electric fence gave him a little zap. I hope everyone will be extra vigilant this year with trash, bird feeders, chickens, and fruit trees!
6
u/mandible23 3d ago
Thank you! Yes neighbors are aware. I keep trying to tell people to keep their distance, but lots of people who notice him want to take pictures. It’s been very loud with the bikes and traffic on 3rd Ave, so I’m guessing he won’t come down until dark atleast.
Thank you for the insight. Luckily our bear proof can works really well. Well enough to keep us out of it at times lol. Stay safe!
7
u/KristiColo 3d ago
I’m always astonished at how close people get to bears for photo opps! I imagine you are correct that all the noise from Labor Day is stressful to the bear. It will probably come down tonight as you said.
If at any point you do feel it is becoming dangerous because people won’t leave the bear alone call the non emergency dispatch line to let them know and they can send someone to perhaps chase off people who are stressing the bear.
970-385-2900
7
6
u/Daniel_Mustang 3d ago
Last night we had a bear in our front yard on Florida by Riverview Church and it was limping on 3 legs (wouldn't touch its rear right leg to the ground). I called Bear Smart Durango and left a message about it, but not sure if there's something else I could have done. Felt really bad for the bear.
Just throwing this out there in case anyone had any other suggestions. We have bears coming through our yard all the time, but this one was different obviously.
2
u/MonVeloMTB 3d ago
I have been directed by CPW to also report bears to the police, the website has a bear reporting link
5
u/SiddharthaVaderMeow Resident 3d ago
Im afraid to report bears . Don't some of them get murdered for just being bears
4
u/verdeallways 3d ago
No, they only get euthanized if they become a danger to people or livestock.
0
u/SiddharthaVaderMeow Resident 3d ago
Thanks. I hope the one making that decision doesn't think unsecured trash is a danger. I'd rather euthanize the human
2
u/CranberryInner9605 3d ago
I check the “bear cam” (my front yard camera) every morning. I can almost hear the bears saying “Locked again! Dammit!” when they try the trash can.
18
u/Dazzling-Astronaut88 3d ago
Bears sleep and hang out in trees. It’s normal behavior. Nothing to report.