Protect the Aspen pastry-loving black bear
The Issue
On Saturday, September 26, 2026, an unexpected visitor made their way into the Aspen Saturday Market. This visitor was not a regular human shopper, but a curious black bear with a sweet tooth. Witnesses watched in amusement and awe as the bear stood on their hind legs, indulging in fresh pastries at the Louis Swiss Bakery booth, even holding a bagel using their prehensile wrist thumb—a sight that amassed various videos on social media, instantly capturing the hearts of onlookers.
However, the aftermath was far from cute or amusing. As the bear gorged themself on human delicacies, they eventually felt sick, a stark reminder of the danger human food poses to wildlife. Although they safely retreated after non-lethal hazing by Aspen Police and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers, such incidents highlight a grave risk to both the bears and our community: the possible habituation of wildlife to human food sources.
While we commend the authorities for their humane handling of the situation, our concern now shifts to the wellbeing of this bear. Under no circumstances should the solution to human-wildlife conflicts end in harm or killing for the animals involved. We propose that CPW enact and enforce reinforced measures to prevent similar incidents, including educated public outreach on the dangers of feeding wildlife and improved management of food waste at market areas and other community events to deter visits from hungry wildlife.
Furthermore, we implore CPW to monitor this particular bear to ensure they do not suffer from long-term health issues due to their unexpected gourmet escapades. Proactive measures must be taken now to secure both wildlife preservation and public safety. This bear, and others like them, need protection—not only from wildlife management interventions but from our societal habits that inadvertently put them at risk.
Let's value our wildlife for their natural beauty and ecosystem roles, rather than their ability to entertain momentarily for viral fame. This starts with ensuring this sweet-toothed bear is not sentenced to a tragic end over mere human delight in their misadventure.
Sign this petition to urge Colorado Parks and Wildlife to prioritize non-lethal interventions and public education, safeguarding the lives of our beloved Colorado bears and the integrity of our ecosystems.
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The Issue
On Saturday, September 26, 2026, an unexpected visitor made their way into the Aspen Saturday Market. This visitor was not a regular human shopper, but a curious black bear with a sweet tooth. Witnesses watched in amusement and awe as the bear stood on their hind legs, indulging in fresh pastries at the Louis Swiss Bakery booth, even holding a bagel using their prehensile wrist thumb—a sight that amassed various videos on social media, instantly capturing the hearts of onlookers.
However, the aftermath was far from cute or amusing. As the bear gorged themself on human delicacies, they eventually felt sick, a stark reminder of the danger human food poses to wildlife. Although they safely retreated after non-lethal hazing by Aspen Police and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers, such incidents highlight a grave risk to both the bears and our community: the possible habituation of wildlife to human food sources.
While we commend the authorities for their humane handling of the situation, our concern now shifts to the wellbeing of this bear. Under no circumstances should the solution to human-wildlife conflicts end in harm or killing for the animals involved. We propose that CPW enact and enforce reinforced measures to prevent similar incidents, including educated public outreach on the dangers of feeding wildlife and improved management of food waste at market areas and other community events to deter visits from hungry wildlife.
Furthermore, we implore CPW to monitor this particular bear to ensure they do not suffer from long-term health issues due to their unexpected gourmet escapades. Proactive measures must be taken now to secure both wildlife preservation and public safety. This bear, and others like them, need protection—not only from wildlife management interventions but from our societal habits that inadvertently put them at risk.
Let's value our wildlife for their natural beauty and ecosystem roles, rather than their ability to entertain momentarily for viral fame. This starts with ensuring this sweet-toothed bear is not sentenced to a tragic end over mere human delight in their misadventure.
Sign this petition to urge Colorado Parks and Wildlife to prioritize non-lethal interventions and public education, safeguarding the lives of our beloved Colorado bears and the integrity of our ecosystems.
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Petition created on October 7, 2026