Bear attacks 72-year-old man while protecting cub near trail, Alaska troopers say

A brown bear attacked a 72-year-old man after he got between her and her cub on a Kenai Peninsula trail, Alaska troopers reported.

Alaska State Troopers responded to the incident at 11:45 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, on the Hidden Creek Trail near Skilak Lake, a dispatch said.

The man was taken to a hospital in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries, troopers said. His companion was not injured.

The bears left the area, troopers said. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will continue to investigate the incident.

Skilak Lake is about 60 miles south of Anchorage.

What to do if you see a bear

Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.

There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.

• Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening.

• Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.

• Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.

• Pick up small children: Don’t let kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.

• Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.

• Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.

• Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.

• Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.

• Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.

• Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.

This story was originally published November 20, 2023 at 9:12 AM with the headline "Bear attacks 72-year-old man while protecting cub near trail, Alaska troopers say."