Bear attacks 70-year-old Cloudcroft man
Attack occurred as the man stepped out of his house
- Resident admitted to feeding wildlife
A 70-year-old Cloudcroft man reported he was attacked by a black bear early Friday morning.
Conservation officers with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish were investigating the scene of the attack. The home owner sustained multiple injuries including puncture wounds to the arm and scratches on the leg, according to a release from the agency. His wife drove him to a hospital in Alamogordo, where he was treated for the injuries. The bite occurred early in the morning when he stepped out of his house.
The man admitted to feeding wildlife with cracked corn at his residence, the release stated. He also told officers that a minimum of four bears routinely have been coming into the residence.
Department officers identified several bowls of pet food with residual amounts of dog or cat food near the house, as well as bear prints on the windows and scratch marks on the porch.
“We are thankful the victim was not hurt worse and are hopeful he will recover quickly,” Department Director Alexandra Sandoval said. “However, feeding wildlife is never an acceptable practice and we can’t emphasize enough the importance of keeping properties clear of items that can attract bears. We will now have to euthanize the bears, because they are habituated to humans and pose a serious public safety risk. My decision to euthanize these bears could have been completely avoided had the bears not been fed.”
If you live or camp in bear country, agency officials recommend keeping garbage in airtight containers inside a garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby. Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in a compost pile. Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing, officials urge.
Campers should keep camps clean, and store food and garbage properly, use bear-proof containers or suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk. Keep tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes worn while cooking or eating with the food. Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
If someone encounters a bear, avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Try to appear large by holding out a jacket. Pick up small children to prevent them from running. Give the bear plenty of room to escape.
If a black bear attacks, fight back using anything at hand, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
If the bear has not seen the person, they should stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows they are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.