NECROPSY FINDS HUMAN DNA ON BEAR’S CLAWS

A necropsy completed on a bear trapped and killed near Ward in the wake of last weekend’s attack on a teenager at a camp area showed human DNA on its claws, wildlife officials said Friday.

The results boost Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff’s confidence that they killed the right bear, according to area wildlife manager Larry Rogstad.

A 280-pound male black bear attacked a sleeping, 19-year-old staff member at Glacier View Ranch near Ward at about 4 a.m. Sunday, biting his head and attempting to drag him away. The young man, with the help of other staff members, was able to fight off the animal.

The necropsy was performed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife pathologist Karen Fox. Rogstad had few other details immediately available on the results.

However, he said, “(Fox) did an immediate inspection for rabies, and it was negative for rabies.”