A black bear managed to get into a car in Colorado and died while unable to get out, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said.
State wildlife officials said Monday on social media that the 300-pound bear got into the unlocked car in Colorado Springs, 60 miles south of Denver.
Officials did not specify the age or sex of the dead bear. Pictures posted by wildlife officials show the animal and the mess it made of the car’s interior.
The bear was undiscovered for several days “in the heat” before it was found dead, wildlife officials said, though they did not say whether heat or starvation caused its demise.
“Typically what happens is they pull the door open, get in, get their food, and then they leave. But sometimes the door closes behind them, and they have trouble figuring out how to get out,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officer Travis Sauder told Colorado Springs’ Gazette.
Difficulties finding food could have driven the bear to the car.
“This year, because of the low snowpack, some late freezes, we are in what we call a ‘food failure’ year. The natural food sources that bears are used to finding aren’t there,” Mr. Sauder said.
Colorado wildlife officials urged residents to ensure their car doors and windows are locked and not to leave any food or trash inside their cars.
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