Opinion |
Early reporting could have prevented this tragic incident.
The heartbreaking shooting of a mother bear in Willits, which orphaned her two cubs, was entirely preventable. This tragedy could have been avoided if residents had notified Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) or the Roaring Fork Valley Bear Coalition when the bear family first appeared in the summer. Instead, the situation escalated, leading to the bear being shot while seeking refuge in a tree— a natural, safe place.
The Roaring Fork Valley Bear Coalition, a volunteer nonprofit, works to reduce human-bear conflicts across the valley. We help residents identify and remove potential attractants through proactive resources such as education, bear-resistant containers, electrified bear mats, and electric fencing. We collaborate closely with CPW and law enforcement to prevent conflicts before they arise.
Why is early reporting critical? CPW’s trained wildlife managers use safe, non-lethal hazing techniques to keep bears wild. Taking matters into your own hands is dangerous and often leads to tragic outcomes. CPW’s goal is to prevent bear conflicts, not to euthanize bears. It’s important to know that not all tagged bears are conflict bears — some were handled or rehabilitated.
In Willits, the community coexisted peacefully with the bear family for months. Sadly, frustration led one person to take reckless action, ending in the bear’s death. We hope this person faces the maximum penalty and sets a solid example.
This incident is a painful reminder: Contact the professionals if you encounter a bear.
http://roaringforkbears.org.
Daniela Kohl
Carbondale