Hungry black bears are running into trouble in the Rocky Mountains

Hungry black bears in Colorado and across the Rockies are finding new ways to cause trouble as drought reduces natural food, according to the report from Colorado Springs. Patrick Sullivan described an incident where a black bear broke into a Toyota SUV in Gold Hill, northwest of Denver, damaging the interior while repeatedly honking a horn at about 3 a.m. The car was later declared totaled. Wildlife officials say bear activity and human conflicts are up: Colorado reports twice as many sightings and conflicts this year as the average, and New Mexico and Utah report record numbers. Bears are increasingly raiding homes, cars, and campgrounds, with some needing tranquilization or relocation and others being killed. Officials stress that trash in unsecured bins is the biggest attractant.