Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- A black bear in Ogden Valley was euthanized after multiple sightings.
- The bear attempted to enter several homes, alarming residents and authorities.
- Officials emphasize securing trash and food to prevent bears losing fear of humans.
OGDEN — Cheryl Rubink and her daughter, Morgan Rubink, got a big surprise while they were relaxing inside a family member's cabin Saturday.
"We heard kind of a clattering on the deck. And so I looked over and I noticed a snout from the window," Morgan Rubink said. "It was a young bear, and it stood up at the door, seemed kind of interested in what was going on."
The Rubinks said the black bear checked several windows, even placing its paw on a door handle, before ultimately walking away.
"He hit the knob and then he just got down and moseyed away," Cheryl Rubink recalled. "It was concerning. He was going to every single window. It seemed like he knew what he was doing."
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists said the bear was a female about 2 years old. Northern Region Outreach Manager Mark Hadley said there were reports of a black bear near the Alaskan Inn, at 435 Ogden Canyon Road, on Thursday, then near some garbage cans on Friday, before the agency received nine reports of sightings on Saturday.
"The phone started lighting up," Hadley said. "But what was really concerning to us is it tried to enter three different homes through the doorways."
DWR biologists and officers searched the area near Nordic Valley for several hours with the help of dogs, but Hadley said Weber County sheriff's deputies ultimately helped them locate it with the use of a search and rescue drone. Hadley said sadly, DWR could not simply relocate the bear.
What was really concerning to us is it tried to enter three different homes through the doorways.
–Mark Hadley, Utah DWR
"If a bear has exhibited behavior that is indicative of it no longer being afraid of people, then we have to euthanize the bear," Hadley explained. "Bears, when they've lost their fear of people, can become very aggressive."
Hadley added that people living in areas near bears can help prevent that type of behavior by keeping garbage cans inside a garage or shed, keeping pet foods inside and keeping barbecue grills clean.
