This summer, wildlife authorities in Colorado have killed a total of 35 black bears which were spotted searching for food in campsites and other areas populated by humans.
 
These bears were seen as a threat to human life, say local authorities, because they have lost their fear of humans and have associated people with food.

Under Colorado's two-strike policy for bears, the creatures are tranquilized and returned to the wild when first spotted in areas populated by man. If another offense occurs, the animal is killed.
 
"The problem is not with the bears -- they're just opportunistic feeders -- but with the way humans behave," says Tyler Baskfield, spokesman for the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Similar reports of bears invading neighborhoods, looking for food and attacking humans have been received in New Mexico, in Reno, Nevada and Lake Tahoe, California. Authorities say that the bad summer depleted food supplies for bears living in the highlands, compelling the beasts to descend and look for sustenance in trash cans, barbecues and even kitchens.