A Tragic Discovery in Durango: Black Bear Euthanized After Ingesting Human Waste, Underscoring Alarming Rise in Human-Bear Conflicts

Durango, Colorado – A somber September 9th marked a grim milestone for wildlife officials in Durango, Colorado, as a black bear was euthanized after being discovered in severe distress within a residential yard. The bear, found moaning and lethargic, had reportedly dug itself into a hole, a distressing sight that prompted a call to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Upon arrival, CPW Officer John Livingston and his team were immediately confronted with the heartbreaking reality of the animal’s suffering, evident in its severely distended and bloated belly. Despite efforts to rouse the bear, it remained largely immobile. The decision to tranquilize the animal was swiftly followed by the gut-wrenching realization that its condition was dire. A subsequent field necropsy revealed a horrifying cause: the bear’s stomach was packed with an unimaginable amount of human waste, including cleaning wipes and entire, unemptied trash bags. “Immediately upon getting into the stomach, we just started pulling out cleaning wipes and full trash bags that still had the whole drawstring,” Officer Livingston recounted to Backpacker magazine, describing the scene as “pretty rough stuff.”

This tragic incident is not an isolated event, but rather a stark symptom of a burgeoning crisis. According to Livingston, who serves as the CPW public information officer for southwest Colorado and leads the agency’s Statewide Bear Working Group, the state is experiencing an unprecedented surge in human-bear conflicts. As of September 10, 2026, CPW has logged over 8,000 bear reports, a figure that dwarfs all previous years. The agency has been forced to euthanize over 294 bears this year alone, a dramatic increase from the 98 euthanizations recorded in all of 2025. “It’s definitely going to be a record year,” Livingston stated with palpable concern.

The confluence of a severe statewide drought and a late spring freeze that decimated natural food sources has created a perfect storm, driving bears into human-populated areas in search of sustenance. This scarcity of natural food, coupled with the availability of easily accessible human-provided food, is leading to a dangerous cycle of habituation and conflict. “As long as they are getting trash and human-provided food like bird seed, pet food, or whatever gets left outside, they don’t have the incentive to go back up and look for those natural foods,” Livingston explained. This reliance on human food sources not only poses a direct threat to the bears, as evidenced by the Durango case, but also disrupts their natural biology. Bears that become accustomed to year-round access to human food may forgo the natural cues that trigger hibernation. “In some places, there have been instances of a few bears never denning because they continued to access food year-round,” he added.

The implications of this escalating conflict are profound, impacting both the human and animal populations. Bear relocation incidents have surged by 3.5 times the 5-year average, and euthanizations have increased by 2.7 times, according to CPW data. Officer Livingston himself has been working tirelessly, often putting in 18- to 20-hour days, including weekends, responding to bear-related calls since June. "It’s been a busy year," he admitted, "Across the state, we’re seeing more bears getting into homes and crossing lines that maybe, in most years, they’d be too timid or not quite bold enough to cross."

The primary drivers behind this alarming trend are twofold: food scarcity and habituation. The record-low snowpack has led to widespread drought across Colorado, exacerbating the problem. Compounding this, an early spring freeze in May devastated natural food supplies in the southwestern part of the state, forcing bears to descend into towns and residential areas much earlier in the season. Once in these areas, the readily available, calorie-rich human food sources—discarded trash, unsecured pet food, bird feeders—become an irresistible draw. This readily available food supply, Livingston emphasizes, leads to habituation. Bears learn to associate human settlements with reliable sustenance, overriding their natural foraging instincts.

This habituation creates a perilous environment for the bears. When their primary food source becomes human waste and improperly secured food, they are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as breaking into homes and vehicles, or consuming indigestible materials like plastic and cleaning wipes, as tragically demonstrated in Durango. The long-term consequences can even alter their fundamental biological rhythms. The natural instinct to hibernate is triggered not solely by cold temperatures, but by a lack of food availability. When bears have consistent access to human-provided food, they may delay or even forgo denning, leaving them vulnerable to the harsh winter elements and further increasing their reliance on human-derived food.

As the winter months approach, CPW is issuing an urgent plea for increased caution among Colorado residents, particularly those living in bear-prone areas. While many municipalities mandate the use of bear-resistant trash containers, their effectiveness is significantly diminished if they are not properly maintained. Livingston stresses the importance of regular cleaning to mitigate the lingering scent of food, which can still attract bears. Furthermore, damaged containers must be promptly repaired, and all bins must be securely closed and stored nightly. Failure to comply can result in fines, with the first offense carrying a $100 penalty and subsequent offenses escalating to $200.

Beyond trash management, residents are urged to eliminate other attractants. Leaving windows or doors open, especially at night, or keeping car doors unlocked presents an open invitation to curious bears. “It may not be a person you have to worry about coming into your house or trying to get into your car at night,” Livingston cautioned. “It might be a bear.”

CPW is also encouraging residents to actively "haze" bears that venture too close to their homes. This involves making noise and creating a perceived threat to encourage the bear to move along. Suggested methods include yelling, sounding car alarms, banging pots and pans together, or utilizing an airhorn. "If you’re going to take the time to take out your phone and record the bear, help send the right message and record it while you’re yelling," Livingston advised. "We shouldn’t want them being around our homes.” The goal of hazing is to re-establish a healthy fear of humans in bears, reinforcing the boundary between their natural habitat and human settlements.

This year, more than ever, a heightened level of bear awareness and proactive measures are crucial. The escalating number of conflicts, the tragic consequences of ingested human waste, and the disruption of natural bear behavior all underscore the critical need for responsible coexistence. The bears, facing unprecedented challenges due to environmental factors and human impact, require the collective effort and vigilance of communities to navigate this difficult period. The message from CPW is clear: the year 2026 is a pivotal one, demanding increased caution and a commitment to protecting both human safety and the well-being of Colorado’s wildlife.