A hungry brown bear went shopping at Aspen’s Saturday Market and skipped straight to the bakery aisle. The bear helped itself to fresh-baked bread and pastries from a vendor booth while startled witnesses recorded the scene. Aspen police and a Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer responded and scared the bear away. It ultimately climbed a nearby tree and eventually fled back into the woods.
Wildlife officials say Colorado is seeing a record number of bear encounters this year because extreme drought has reduced natural food sources. With hibernation season approaching, bears are especially focused on packing on extra pounds. In this case, the bear apparently decided the farmers market offered the bear necessities. (Denver Post)