Woman fights off bear with spray after being attacked on trail in Alaska

A woman was recently attacked by a brown bear while running alone on the Wolverine Bowl Trail near Anchorage, Alaska. The bear spray she carried helped her fend off the animal and she managed to make her way to the trailhead, where she was taken to the hospital for treatment. Her injuries were not specified.

Biologists from the Alaska Fish and Wildlife Department investigated the scene, looking for signs of bear activity and collecting samples, but no bears were found. As a precautionary measure, warning signs were placed at the trailhead, reminding hikers to avoid closed trails, choose routes with good visibility, steer clear of known attractants like salmon streams, and carry bear spray. Proper training in using the spray, such as removing the safety and ensuring any zip-ties are cut, was also emphasized by officials.

Alaska is home to hundreds of thousands of bears, with an estimated one bear per square mile in southern regions. The state has seen a series of bear attacks in recent months, including incidents in southern Alaska and Kenai. From 2000 to 2017, 68 people were hospitalized following bear attacks in Alaska, with the majority of attacks attributed to brown bears.