06/29 UPDATE – Authorities are releasing additional information regarding the bear attack that happened in Cooper Landing on June 27th. Alaska Wildlife Troopers responded to the scene and based on a preliminary investigation, an unidentified adult male was hiking on the Kenai River Trail with a dog when he encountered a sow brown bear and two cubs. The adult male’s dog chased the bear which caused the sow to charge the hiker.
The hiker reported that he was bitten on the arm by the bear and he then entered the Kenai River in hopes to escape, but the bear followed him into the river and bit him once more on the shoulder. The bear then retreated from the area, and the hiker returned to his vehicle where he contacted emergency services. EMS transported the hiker to a Kenai Peninsula area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
So far, the bear has not been located by law enforcement. The hiker did have bear spray but was unable to deploy it. The hiker’s dog, a 13-month-old border collie was still missing, but social media accounts indicate that it has been found. The Kenai River Trail near Skilak Lake has been closed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
ORIGINAL – Kenai National Wildlife Refuge staff received a report early Monday morning, June 28th that a hiker on Upper Kenai River Trail, located at mile .6 of Skilak Lake Road, was bitten by a sow brown bear approximately one mile from the trailhead in the Refuge’s Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area.
The bear was seen with two cubs with her. The unidentified solo hiker was able to leave the area independently and has received medical attention, however his/her dog, a young border collie, remains loose in the area. According to report, the hiker was recreating solo with the dog off leash.
If you see a dog unattended in the Skilak Lake Road area, please call Refuge Headquarters at 907-262-7021.
The trail has been closed to all public use pending further investigation by law enforcement.