Vehicle hits and kills black bear in Loveland

A black bear that made its way to a Loveland road was struck and killed by a vehicle Saturday night.

Loveland police officers responded to a non-injury motor vehicle crash where the black bear was hit in the 1000 block of South Lincoln Avenue, and a Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer was contacted to pick up the bear at about 10 p.m.

Lt. Jan Burreson of the Loveland Police Department said a passerby who took a picture of the bear posted it to social media, which led to other people to go to the scene to see the bear.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill said the bear was not ear tagged and its age is unknown. The bear was already dead when the wildlife officer made it to the scene of the crash.

Churchill said the department encourages people to be careful with their speed while driving, especially from dawn to dusk, and to look for eye shine, because  "these animals are moving around."

Sometimes, though, the animals just dart in front of vehicles unexpectedly, she said.

"We have really healthy wildlife populations in Colorado," she said.

When daylight saving time rolls around in November, people will see more of wild animals on their drives back from work, Churchill said.

Reporter Saja Hindi covers public safety and local politics. Follow her on Twitter @BySajaHindi or email her at shindi@coloradoan.com.

Last week:Black bear captured in west Fort Collins