Washington DC, United States: A bear attacked a 73-year-old woman near the US-Canada border in northern Montana. Following the attack, the woman was hospitalized, according to the update shared by state wildlife officials.
According to various reports by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials, the woman has been transported to a hospital in Kalispell via an air ambulance. The sources associated with the case have not disclosed the condition as well as the identity of the victim woman.
The Montana Fish officials have mentioned that during the time of the attack, the woman was in the “Bubble Ups” area of Trail Creek in Flathead National Forest. At that time, she was accompanied by her husband and a dog. Accordingly, she was attacked at around 3 pm.
Various reports have outlined that as a counter-attack, the husband of the victim used bear spray to scare the creature. Following this, the couple ran towards their vehicle to drive to an area where they could call emergency services.
The police have been investigating the matter. The authorities have notified the general public that the park will remain closed until the investigation continues.
It is to be noted that the officials of the park have been confirmed the type of bear in the attack.
Surge in bear encounters:
The State wildlife officials have warned the public of Montana that the region is “bear country,” as the animals are active for longer periods of time. It further informed that at this time, the bears are preparing for hibernation, consuming more food.
According to the reports, this is the second bear attack registered in Montana in the time span of less than a month. On September 8, a grizzly bear attacked a man near Big Sky, Montana. The details of the attack were shared by the Gallatin County Sheriff.
Accordingly, he was a part of a group of hunters who were tracking a deer. Unlike the 73-year-old woman, the woman was also airlifted with the help of a nearby local helicopter for further treatment.
Besides this, another grizzly bear attacked and killed two more people last week at the Banff National Park in Western Canada. The two men were killed because of the unavailability of medical assistance, as emergency responders failed to reach the scene for several hours because of severe weather conditions.
After this attack, portions of Banff National Park were closed as a precaution. Along with this, the wildlife officials of Canada found an aggressive grizzly bear in the area, which was put down in the public interest.
The two people were not officially identified, but certain reports claimed that a Canadian couple was misplaced, who were “very experienced outdoor enthusiasts.”
Wildlife and Fire State officials appeal for awareness:
The authorities, associated with wildlife and fire, have urged the general public to be a bit cautious. Wildlife officials have also shared that fatal attacks by grizzly bears are very rare. While sharing the stats, it mentioned that only 14 percent of attacks worldwide lead to fatalities.
The important tips shared by the US Forest Service, which should be followed if an individual encounters a bear, are as follows:
- If the bear approaches you, try to scare it away by making yourself as large and imposing as possible by stretching your arms overhead and making loud noises.
- Group together and pick up small children.
- Carry bear spray and be prepared to use it immediately.
- Face the bear and back away slowly, talking calmly to identify yourself as a human.
- Remain calm.
- Do NOT allow the bear access to your food.
- Do NOT drop your pack.
- Do NOT climb a tree.
- Do NOT run