Tragic Fate of Starving Bear: Euthanized Due to Gut Obstruction Caused by Trash

Last week, Colorado wildlife officials made the difficult decision to euthanize a male black bear suffering from a severe intestinal blockage caused by consuming inedible human trash. This unfortunate incident highlights the importance of proper waste disposal to protect wildlife.

In a Wednesday news release, Rachel Sralla, a wildlife manager at Colorado Parks and Wildlife, stated that the bear’s inability to digest food made it extremely ill. The bear was reported to wildlife authorities in Telluride on September 9th when it displayed symptoms such as foaming at the mouth, puffy eyes, and abdominal pain.

John Livingston, spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, reported to CNN that the bear could only walk short distances before needing to rest due to the intense pain. The wildlife officers decided to euthanize the bear to prevent further suffering.

A necropsy of the bear revealed that the cause of its deteriorating health was a blockage created by a mixture of garbage, paper towels, wipes, and plastic bags in its stomach and intestines. This obstruction prevented food from passing through and led to starvation.

Further examination showed that the massive blockage had begun to decompose, causing a bacterial infection and an enlargement of the bear’s intestines. Rachel Sralla emphasized that if not euthanized, the bear would have faced a slow and agonizing death.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible trash disposal. John Livingston advised residents living in bear-populated areas to store their garbage in secure containers and only put it out on the morning of collection to minimize the risk of attracting wildlife.

The Southwest Region division of Colorado Parks and Wildlife reiterated this message on X, formerly Twitter, in a post about the incident: “Trash kills bears.”