A woman out for a solo run in Anchorage, Alaska, was hospitalized this week after surviving an encounter with a brown bear on a local trail.
The runner was on the Wolverine Bowl trail in the Prospect Heights area when the bear attacked, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Officials said she managed to escape by deploying bear spray.
After the incident, she was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
State biologists later responded to the scene and collected samples as part of their review, though no bears were spotted in the area during their visit.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game urged the public to report any bear or other wildlife that appears aggressive, abnormal or unusually bold.
Warning notices have since been placed at the Prospect Heights trailhead. Officials also reminded hikers and runners to avoid any trails that have been closed.
“Thick, dense summer foliage can block sightlines, making surprise encounters more likely,” the department said. “Choose hiking routes with good visibility and away from known attractants, like salmon-bearing streams.”
For anyone recreating in bear country, officials recommend carrying a deterrent such as bear spray or a firearm, traveling in groups when possible, making noise on the trail, watching for signs of bear activity, never approaching bears and keeping pets leashed.
“If you surprise a bear, especially one with cubs or on a food cache, it may react in a threatened or defensive manner,” the department said. “The bear may be agitated and may huff, stomp, make a popping sound with its teeth, salivate or lay its ears back against its head and charge.”
They urged staying calm, standing your ground, readying deterrent, staying in a group and talking calmly. Never run.
“If the bear is stationary, move away slowly while keeping your eyes on the bear,” the department said.
“If the bear starts to move toward you or charges, stop and stand your ground. Let the bear know you are not a threat. Behaving calmly, moving slowly, and speaking in a low calm voice will help de-escalate the situation. If the bear continues to approach, use your deterrent when the bear is within range.”
The attack comes less than a month after another woman was mauled by a bear in Anchorage.
The July victim was walking with a friend and her three dogs in the Bear Valley residential neighborhood, adjacent to Chugach State Park in south Anchorage, when the bear approached.
Officials said the hikers were on an unofficial, user-made trail that climbs a steep hillside in a zigzag pattern. The area was heavily overgrown with dense vegetation, which created poor visibility and increased the risk of surprising wildlife, the department said.
“The bear came out of the dense alders, made brief contact with one of the hikers, and left the scene,” the department added.
The woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was expected to recover.
