Bear encounters are rising across the United States. Here's why.

Black bear encounters are increasing across the United States, with agencies in at least 15 states receiving more bear-related calls this year than in 2023. Reports include bears entering homes through bedroom windows, opening car doors, and raiding restaurants, fire stations, and vacation rentals; attacks are rare. In Colorado, reports have risen by up to 200%, and in Utah bear activity in cities has hit a record high. There are about 450,000 black bears nationwide, and experts say once bears learn to access human food, the habit is hard to reverse. In South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Keryn Francisco said a bear broke into a cabin and ate high-end food, then returned multiple times. Officials in multiple states cite drought and low snowpack for reduced natural food supply.