Bear Captured After Attacking Security Guard in Colorado Hotel Kitchen

A security guard at the St. Regis Aspen Resort was taken by surprise when a bear entered the hotel's kitchen on Monday, swiping at the guard and knocking him to the ground.

The attack left the guard with scratches on his back and in need of hospitalization. In a shocking turn of events, the bear responsible for the attack was found and euthanized on Wednesday, according to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) agency. Details are explained in a news release issued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The search for the bear began on Tuesday night at 10 p.m. with the help of the Aspen Police Department and Pitkin County Sheriff's Office, along with CPW officers.

The department said wildlife officers arrived on scene just after midnight local time Tuesday to investigate and search for the bear. According to their investigation, officers learned "the bear had entered the hotel through a series of doors near the courtyard."

Using a tranquilizer gun, wildlife officers were able to chemically immobilize the bear after finding it in a tree around 2 a.m. on Wednesday.

Through witness statements, photos and videos from hotel security cameras, and footage provided by the hotel, CPW officers were able to confirm the bear's identity and aggressive behavior in the kitchen.

The bear was identified as a boar, confirmed by a distinctive white patch on its chest.

During the search for the bear, officers also saw eight other bears roaming around downtown Aspen. The CPW stated that while unfortunate, the euthanization of the bear was necessary for public safety and to prevent any future attacks.

Matt Yamashita, Area Wildlife Manager, expressed the importance of the evidence gathered during the investigation in properly identifying the offending bear. "All played an important part in our investigation.

Using the footage provided by the hotel, we were able to confirm the aggressive behavior of the bear and identify unique physical characteristics of the bear that assisted in the proper identification of the offending bear," Yamashita said in a CPW news release.

The bear's body was taken to the CPW Wildlife Health Lab in Fort Collins for a full necropsy, while the victim of the attack was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday after sustaining scratches on his back.

The CPW warns residents and visitors in Aspen to remain vigilant as bears are still active and preparing for hibernation. "It is common for people to see bears and other wildlife inside Aspen town limits. It is everyone's responsibility to give wildlife space and remember the importance of being 'bear aware' at all times," the agency stated.

The attack serves as a reminder to always be aware of wildlife in the area and to take necessary precautions to avoid any encounters. Authorities also advise everyone to report any aggressive bear behavior to the CPW immediately to prevent future incidents from occurring.