Colorado Black Bear Attacks Tent, Forces Campground Closure

It's everyone's camping nightmare, at least mine, that's why I don't like to do it. A black bear attacked and destroyed a tent with campers inside at a White River National Forest Campground (the Avalanche Campground) in Colorado forcing its closure over the weekend which will extend through Labor Day.

According to Outsider.com, black bears who are typically pretty timid when it comes to interactions with humans have been becoming a little LESS afraid and more aggressive with their human encounters. This was proven by a recent incident a few days ago when a black bear attacked a tent with people inside.

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Thankfully, nobody was injured, at least physically. We're not sure about mentally because I know when I have camped out before, every little noise I would hear at night would in MY mind be a bear or a machete-wielding psychopath, but once again that's just my crazy brain.

Due to the number of encounters, in particular ones like these, officials seem to think that black bears are becoming less and less afraid of humans. Instead of danger, they're starting to associate us with an easy meal and access to food. Park officials made note that there was no food left out or even a scent present in or around the tent.

Over the past 18 months, the pandemic has made more people hit the great outdoors, which is great but at the same time, many of those folks are inexperienced with being in bear country. This enables bears to smell food around campsites as they're on the search for food to fatten up for hibernation. This is NOT  a good combination.

Check out these helpful tips if you ever encounter a black bear in the wild.