The Independence Day holiday in Alaska for one individual turned out to be more than he bargained for. On July 4th at 9:16 a.m., Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Seward were notified of a bear attack at Fourth of July Beach in Seward.
The unidentified adult male reported that he was sleeping in his camper with the door open when a black bear entered the camper, scratched his leg, and attempted to bite his leg. The man scared the bear out of the camper, and it ultimately wandered back into the woods. The victim sustained minor injuries.
Later in the day around 5:00 p.m., Wildlife Troopers received multiple reports of a black bear raiding camps, bluff charging campers, and showing no fear of people in the same area where the initial attack occurred.
Alaska Wildlife Troopers responded to the scene and observed a black bear on the beach walking towards campers. Based on the bear’s activities earlier that day and continued activities, the bear was deemed a public safety risk and dispatched. Its hide and skull will be turned into the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game provides tips in the event that you see a bear. They say that you should make noise so you don’t surprise a bear. Stay alert and look for signs of bears. Never approach or crowd bears; respect their ‘personal space.’ Keep food, garbage and other attractants out of reach of bears. Stay calm during a bear encounter. Ready your deterrent. Stand your ground, group up with others and alert the bear by talking calmly, and don’t run.
In most cases, bears aren’t a threat, but they do deserve respect and attention.
More information can be found here.