First Bear Attack of the Year Recorded Northeast of Durango

Colorado Parks and Wildlife says the first bear attack of the year was recorded this week. 

On Tuesday, a sheepherder in a wilderness area northeast of Durango was woken at 1am in the morning by a bear that was messing with his sheep. The shepherd fired his rifle before being attacked by the bear. 

CPW said the man had bite wounds on his head, arms and hands. 

The man was able to crawl to his tent following the attack and phone for help. Emergency personnel rescued the man by air and was taken to a hospital for treatment. 

CPW responded to the scene the next day and found evidence of the attack including two dead sheep with wounds consistent with a bear attack. The bear was tracked down and shot by authorities. 

Under Colorado Parks and Wildlife policy, any bear that attacks a human must be euthanized.