Bear euthanized after intestines blocked by paper towels, food wrappers, other human waste

Colorado Parks and Wildlife authorities euthanized a sick male black bear earlier this month in Telluride after the animal was suffering from "severe intestinal blockage" caused by eating human trash.

The 400-pound bear was showing signs of infection and could not digest food, CPW Area Wildlife Manager Rachel Sralla said a news release. Wildlife authorities founds items such as paper towels, disinfectant wipes and food wrappers in the bear.

“It all comes back to trash, which we talk about too often when it comes to bear conflicts in Colorado. The reason we had to put this bear down was to end its suffering that was caused by eating indigestible trash,” Sralla added.

CPW first received a report of a sick of injured bear near the river trail in Telluride on Sept. 9, the release says. Officers observed the bear and noticed it "acted feverish and had puffy eyes and discharge coming from its eyes and mouth."

Officers also determined the bear likely had severe abdominal pain, as the bear "displayed a humped position while walking and was reluctant to move," according to the release.

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The decision to euthanize the bear was based on the behavior and condition of the bear, as well as to prevent the bear from suffering any further, CPW said. Officers conducted a full filed necropsy on the bear.

“The removal of the stomach and intestines showed that the bear was starving due to a plug of paper towels, disinfectant wipes, napkins, parts of plastic sacks and wax paper food wrappers in the pylorus,” said CPW District Wildlife Manager Mark Caddy in the release.

“This plug was accompanied by French fries, green beans, onions and peanuts. The small and large intestines were empty of matter. The intestines were enlarged due to bacteria in the beginning stages of decomposition, but we opened them up in several locations and found no digested food matter,” Caddy added.

“Telluride has an ordinance to address bear in trash issues,” Sralla said. “We need the community to follow that ordinance to be a better neighbor to our bears and prevent this type of incident from happening again.”

According to Telluride Municipal Code 7.04.230 and 7.12.030, "any refuse container that contains refuse that is attractive to bears or other wildlife shall be secured with a locking mechanism except when refuse is being deposited."

Failure to comply with the ordinance can result in a fine of $250 for the first offense and $500 for the second offense. A third offense will result in a summons to appear in municipal court, according to the news release.