Black bears are approaching human settlements in record numbers across the western United States. In Colorado, some have broken into homes and stores, while elsewhere bears have been spotted near schools and farmers' markets.

Experts attribute the surge to an exceptionally dry previous winter, which significantly reduced the plants, berries and nuts that make up roughly 90% of the bears' diet. As a result, the animals are increasingly drawn to food in human settlements, a trend that has also led to more frequent culling.

In Colorado, more than 7,000 bear sightings were recorded this year, breaking the previous annual record, and bears have attacked humans at least six times. In New Mexico, authorities have killed 187 bears this year, and last week a bear killed a person there, the state's first fatal attack in 25 years. Utah recorded a record 39 bears killed.

In Montana, grizzly bears are returning to areas where they have not been seen in decades. Experts fear the ongoing drought may cause the animals to grow accustomed to human food, and that encounters between bears and people will continue to rise before hibernation.

(Reuters, bak)