A Colorado bear that captivated the internet with a video of its home invasion earlier this week has been euthanized, according to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) spokesperson.
The spokesperson confirmed that the sub-adult male bear was caught in a live trap on Tuesday afternoon and put down by CPW officers shortly after. They also confirmed the bear’s involvement with multiple home break-ins, one of which happened as recently as Monday afternoon.
The furry intruder was caught on camera and posted to social media earlier this week dangling from a second-floor window in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, after breaking into the home to secure some snacks. Neighbors spotted the bear, which entered the then-empty home through a screen on the first floor, and they eventually called the police after it appeared to become trapped inside. According to neighbors and the homeowner, the houseguest ransacked the kitchen and helped himself to some pork chops left out on the counter. The bear eventually escaped out the way it came, prompting CPW to place a series of traps.
Bear caught on videoVideo shows bear dangling from second-floor window after breaking into home, stealing pork chops
Bear caught on camera swimming at beachBlack bear caught on camera enjoying a swim at crowded beach
When and why are bears euthanized
Euthanasia is generally used to remove bears that have caused injury or harm to humans or livestock, bears that have repeatedly broken into homes or structures or those that exhibit aggressive behavior, CPW says. But while euthanasia removes the immediate problem of the offending animal, it does not solve root issues that may cause further undesirable behavior by local wildlife.
CPW says translocation or relocating bears is not always a viable solution.
“Translocation reduces bear survival and is often associated with the return of individuals to their capture sites,” CPW says on its the website. “When a bear poses a risk to human health and safety or is known to have caused previous conflict activity, it is often euthanized in accordance with CPW directives.”