ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A black bear mauled a man at a campground in Alaska, but the animal won't likely threaten other people, the state Department of Fish and Game said.
Spokesman Ken Marsh said the bear was "pretty much goaded" into the attack Saturday near Eklutna Lake Campground north of Anchorage because the man fed it meat from a church barbecue, the Anchorage Daily News (http://bit.ly/11sQbZW ) reported.
The man could be charged with illegally feeding wildlife, according to Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen. He had been drinking and went for a bike ride, taking some of the food along, she said. The man came across the bear and threw it a piece of meat. He then offered the bear another piece.
"That's when it kind of went ballistic," Ipsen said.
Park rangers later found the bloodied man washing himself off at the campground, Marsh said.
"He wasn't terribly coherent," he said. "He was unsure of where the attack actually happened."
The man was treated for punctures wounds and scratches at an Anchorage hospital. His name was not immediately released.
Authorities are still trying to sort out what happened, Ipsen said. There were no witnesses to the attack and the man struggled to convey what had happened when a trooper spoke with him at the hospital, she said.
A state biologist sent to the scene couldn't find the bear, Marsh said. There's no indication the animal will attack others.
"The bear was pretty much goaded into this," Marsh said.
Biologists advise people never to feed wild animals anything.
I wish it were true that "There's no indication the animal will attack others." But that bear now associates people with free food. That's a potentially disastrous situation, for a bear located on the edge of an urban environment. I fear this will not end well.
Posted by Nick Baldwin on June 18, 2013 at 9:34 AM
That was very interesting, thanks Sandy.
It just demonstrates the euthanasia (or at the very least sterilization) is still a valuable tool to restrict reproduction of those at the very low end of the gene pool. LOL
Hopefully the bear is "...smarter than the average bear..." and will stay off the bike path.
Posted by Garry Revesz on June 18, 2013 at 9:37 AM
We are supposed to be the intelligent species, but there are cases every day to challenge that epithet. This guy is extremely lucky, if it was a grizzly, he wouldn't be just "washing off the blood". Even though it's a Black Bear, I agree with Jim, this may not be over. I have been around bears a number of times, and have a real passion for photographing them, up close, but I have a healthy respect for them and never invade their space. If you pay attention, they will give off signs when you're too close, or they are getting irritated, or even worse, feeling threatened. National Parks & Campgrounds, need have a basic, one day, course that all "humans" must pass before being allowed into a park. The public has to be educated that wildlife and wilderness areas are there to protect the wildlife and nature, and is very different than a BBQ in their backyard.
People tend to down grade black bear attacks vs. grizzly bears BUT, in fact, there are more people killed each year by black bears than grizzlies.
Where I'm from, originally, something similar occurred.
A guy was feeding black bears Smarties.
He ran out.
The bears wanted more.
He escaped with his life.
JUST.
I guess, after the sweets, he didn't taste so good.
Wow...I can't believe he not only threw a piece of meat to the bear, but lured him in for a second helping! I also agree with the others that he will probably associate this with free food from people. Hopefully nothing further happens...
Discussion
5 repliesBear mauls Alaska man who gave it barbecue meat
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A black bear mauled a man at a campground in Alaska, but the animal won't likely threaten other people, the state Department of Fish and Game said.
Spokesman Ken Marsh said the bear was "pretty much goaded" into the attack Saturday near Eklutna Lake Campground north of Anchorage because the man fed it meat from a church barbecue, the Anchorage Daily News (http://bit.ly/11sQbZW ) reported.
The man could be charged with illegally feeding wildlife, according to Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen. He had been drinking and went for a bike ride, taking some of the food along, she said. The man came across the bear and threw it a piece of meat. He then offered the bear another piece.
"That's when it kind of went ballistic," Ipsen said.
Park rangers later found the bloodied man washing himself off at the campground, Marsh said.
"He wasn't terribly coherent," he said. "He was unsure of where the attack actually happened."
The man was treated for punctures wounds and scratches at an Anchorage hospital. His name was not immediately released.
Authorities are still trying to sort out what happened, Ipsen said. There were no witnesses to the attack and the man struggled to convey what had happened when a trooper spoke with him at the hospital, she said.
A state biologist sent to the scene couldn't find the bear, Marsh said. There's no indication the animal will attack others.
"The bear was pretty much goaded into this," Marsh said.
Biologists advise people never to feed wild animals anything.
..
It just demonstrates the euthanasia (or at the very least sterilization) is still a valuable tool to restrict reproduction of those at the very low end of the gene pool. LOL
Hopefully the bear is "...smarter than the average bear..." and will stay off the bike path.
Garry
Toronto
Where I'm from, originally, something similar occurred.
A guy was feeding black bears Smarties.
He ran out.
The bears wanted more.
He escaped with his life.
JUST.
I guess, after the sweets, he didn't taste so good.