According to Reuters reports on August 29 local time, thousands of bears are now flooding into western American towns, reaching a record number.
Bear experts and wildlife departments in various states say that after one of the driest winters ever, the plants, grasses, berries, and nuts on which bears depend for survival have been devastated. These foods account for 90% of their diet. As a result, hungry bears have begun to wander around.
Bears have extremely sensitive senses of smell, and they are attracted by human food. According to wildlife organizations, there are frequent conflicts between humans and bears. The number of bears dying in some states has also reached record levels. Hundreds of bears have been euthanized, crushed by vehicles, shot, or even killed due to electric shocks.
Recently, there have been sightings of bears near schools in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Bears have climbed trees around Denver farmers' markets, and in Colorado, bears have even broken into homes. There have been incidents of bears disturbing humans in many parts of the United States.
Experts predict that the drought in the western United States will continue. They are concerned that bears may become dependent on human food sources. If winter continues to warm up and wild food becomes extremely scarce, bears might even stop hibernating.
Black bear expert John Beckmann said, "This is an unprecedented test for bears' survival, and also a test for humanity."
Human settlements continue to expand, occupying areas that were once used by bears for foraging. Among the eight species of bears worldwide, black bears are currently in the best condition for survival. In just Colorado alone, the number of black bears has reached 17,000 to 20,000.
Over the past 50 years, the population of this state has doubled. Residential areas have extended all the way to the bear habitats surrounding cities like Colorado Springs and Weld. As a result, Colorado has become a major area of conflict between humans and bears.
According to data from the local wildlife department, there have been over 7,000 reports of bears being encountered in 2026, breaking the previous annual record set in 2019. At least six cases of bears causing injuries have occurred throughout the state this year.
According to Jonathan Livingston, a spokesperson for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department, about 1.5% to 2% of bear sightings end with the bears being euthanized. Once bears are determined to be dangerous, such as those that attack humans or enter homes, they are usually disposed of in this way.
Organizations such as the Colorado Bear Alliance say that often it is humans who make mistakes through negligence, but bears have to pay with their lives. The wildlife department should take more measures to prevent conflicts.
The New Mexico Wildlife Department says that this year, local authorities and landowners have killed 187 bears, the highest number since 2011. Additionally, 35 adult bears and 16 cubs have been relocated. The police reported that last week, a bear attack resulted in a death in New Mexico, marking the first fatal bear attack in the state in 25 years.
Utah officials stated that 39 bears have been euthanized since 2026, exceeding the number recorded in any previous year.
The Montana wildlife department states that there are countless reports of bears being seen, and grizzlies have begun entering areas they haven’t been since decades. This year, 24 grizzlies have died, most due to attacks on livestock, human attacks, or accidents. In May of this year, a grizzly bear caused death by harming someone in Montana Glacier National Park.
Livingston said that human-bear conflicts often begin when bears rummage through trash cans, and may eventually lead to a black bear weighing 91-181 kilograms, with sharp claws measuring 8-10 centimeters, appearing directly in residents’ kitchens.
Heather Reich, an expert on bear issues in Nevada, hopes that after the drought subsides, bears will feel too much pressure to live near humans and will return to the wilderness. At present, bears are just beginning to store fat for hibernation. She is concerned that human-bear conflicts will increase further.
Reeves used to work in bear-related duties at the Nevada Wildlife Department. Now, she sells electric floor mats that are designed to prevent bears from entering homes. She said, "We couldn’t have imagined what would happen in September and October. For us, it was simply Armageddon."
