Wildlife authorities in the Colorado high country have been swamped with reports about problem black bears all summer long. In the Aspen region alone, authorities have fielded more than 265 bear nuisance calls since July 1.
Last week an Aspen
woman was attacked and slightly injured by a black bear that entered her home.
The offending bruin was subsequently shot and killed by Colorado Division of
Wildlife officers.
With the surge in bear activity in resort towns this year, it was not really anything unusual for employees of the Snowmass Parks and Recreation Department to see a bear when they arrived at work Tuesday morning. That is, unless you consider that the medium-sized blackie was hopelessly stuck at the bottom of the town’s new below-ground skateboard park bowl.
The distraught bruin evidently slid down the contoured and sloping cement walls of the skating facility overnight, and was unable to maneuver his way to freedom, despite his repeated efforts.
With assistance from officers with the Snowmass Village Police Department, a long utility ladder was placed along one of the walls and after some trial and error, the bear scurried up the ladder like he was practicing for a circus appearance.
In the meantime, a Snowmass Police officer with a digital camera was able to capture the entire wild wildlife moment for posterity.
Anyhow, if you were considering using a ladder stand for hunting in bear country this season, you may want to think again after seeing this bad boy in action.