Campground Closed Following Bear Incident (NPS Digest)

Campground Closed Following Bear Incident (NPS Digest)
Early last Wednesday morning, a black bear swatted at a tent occupied by a sleeping juvenile who was camping with his family in Ponderosa Campground. The tent was torn and the bear’s claws grazed the back of the juvenile’s neck, causing a minor abrasive injury. The family immediately left the campground. Rangers were informed of the incident later that morning. Bandelier natural resources staff and park rangers worked closely with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to determine the proper course of action to take. In accord with both National Park Service and state policies, efforts were begun to remove the bear. Ponderosa Campground will be closed for up to ten days, pending capture and removal of a black bear.

Bill's Note: According to one of the network national news sources, wildlife throughout the Southwest has been acting squirrely, largely due to drought conditions and the massive wildfires.  But the bear that wandered through an Anchorage AK High School was just trying to increase his employability.