In a shocking incident at the St Regis Aspen Resort in Aspen, Colorado, a security guard was attacked by a bear that had wandered into the resort's kitchen. The security guard, who miraculously escaped with only a few scratches, was sent flying across the floor as the bear launched itself at him and savaged him with its paws. The incident took place on Monday night, after the guard went to investigate the kitchen upon hearing reports of a bear roaming the resort's facilities.

Upon being attacked, the guard managed to call 911, and police quickly arrived at the scene. An ambulance was called to take the injured guard to a local hospital, where he was treated for his wounds. Although the guard's condition was not disclosed, he was released from the hospital the following morning.

A large-scale hunt for the bear ensued, with wildlife officers, the Aspen Police Department, and the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office taking part in the search. It was not until the early hours of Wednesday morning that the animal was finally tracked down, tranquilized, and later euthanized. The bear was identified as the same one that had attacked the security guard due to a distinctive white patch on its chest, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).

Matt Yamashita, the area wildlife manager at CPW, commended the assistance provided by witness statements, as well as photos and videos from the hotel's security cameras. These pieces of evidence played a crucial role in the investigation, confirming the bear's aggressive behavior and aiding in its proper identification.

Wildlife officers discovered that the bear had entered the hotel through multiple doors near the courtyard. Contrary to expectations, the hotel kitchen was found to be clean and without any food lying around that could have attracted the animal. This raises questions about what prompted the bear to enter the resort in the first place.

Colorado is home to an estimated 17,000 to 20,000 bears, with the population considered "stable and growing" by experts. Human-bear conflicts have been on the rise due to the increasing number of people camping and hunting in the backwoods. Just this month, a mother bear and her cub were killed in Colorado Springs after she charged two young boys. In Montana, a 73-year-old woman was hospitalized after being attacked by a bear near Glacier National Park, and a hunter was severely mauled by a grizzly bear in September. Tragically, a couple and their dog were killed by a bear in Canada.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service advises people to maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from bears, avoid leaving food accessible to them, and, most importantly, not to run if they encounter a bear. Many human-bear conflicts are attributed to unsecured attractants such as garbage and human food.

The incident at the St Regis Aspen Resort serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and potentially dangerous encounters that can occur between humans and wildlife, emphasizing the need for caution and adherence to safety guidelines to prevent such incidents in the future.