At least 4 bears to be euthanized after man who fed wildlife is hurt

At least four black bears will be euthanized after a Cloudcroft man was injured by one Friday morning outside his home, according to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish officials.

The 70-year-old man had apparently been regularly feeding wildlife cracked corn, and officers also found bowls with leftover pet food in them outside.

Around 4 a.m., the man stepped outside and was attacked, Game and Fish spokeswoman Tristanna Bickford said.

The bear bit his arm and scratched his leg before the man was able to get back inside the home, Bickford said.

His wife then drove him to a hospital in Alamogordo where he was treated.

“We are thankful the victim was not hurt worse and are hopeful he will recover quickly,” department Director Alexandra Sandoval said in a news release. “However, feeding wildlife is never an acceptable practice and we can’t emphasize enough the importance of keeping properties clear of items that can attract bears . ... My decision to euthanize these bears could have been completely avoided had the bears not been fed.”

Bickford said since the animals are habituated to humans, they now pose a public health risk.

Officers are using cellphone photos from the man to identify the bears.

Bickford reminded the public living in bear country or camping not to leave food outside and to keep garbage cans inside until the morning it is to be picked up, not put out the night before.

The last known bear attack in the state came in May, when a man camping in the Burro Mountains was bitten while he was inside his tent, she said.

He suffered minor injuries.