An orphaned baby bear was rescued this week north of Durango, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
CPW spokesman Joe Lewandowski said in an email to The Durango Herald that a female cub was spotted wandering around for a few days in the Electra Lake area, about 20 miles north of Durango along U.S. Highway 550.
“It had been getting into bird feeders in the area,” Lewandowski said.
Residents in the area reported the situation to CPW, and on Monday, two wildlife officers captured the bear while she was hiding under a porch.
After inspection, it was found the cub had injuries: She was emaciated and had cuts on her paws, Lewandowski said.
Wildlife officials decided to take the baby bear to the Frisco Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Frisco, where she will be held throughout the winter.
“It’s not unusual for bears to go on walkabouts occasionally during the winter,” Lewandowski said. “But they usually find a way back to their dens. This one didn’t.”
This is the third cub near Durango that CPW has rescued in recent years. A baby bear was rescued during the 416 Fire in summer 2018, and another cub was rescued during the East Canyon Fire last summer.
