Elderly Wisconsin woman mauled in horror black bear attack as cops hunt beast
Police have been unable to locate the furry perpetrator since Saturday's attack, finding only a cub believed to belong to the bear
An elderly, 69-year-old woman in Wisconsin was horrifically attacked by a black bear that is now the subject of a wide search across Barron County.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said the incident occurred at about 2 p.m. on Saturday. The woman was reportedly injured in the animal attack but mustered up the strength to dial 911 to be taken to the nearest hospital for treatment. The 69-year-old's current condition is unclear.
Officers of the DNR, local police and members of the US Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services began searching for the bear immediately after reports of the attack surfaced. Authorities reportedly located a cub in a tree close to the scene but has not spotted the black bear.
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The DNR believes the bear, a sow with a cub, may have been provoked, but the agency acknowledged that it may have been something else. The DNR believes the bear, a sow with a cub, may have been provoked
Local authorities were unable to track the bear Saturday or ultimately capture the animal, which they plan to euthanize and subsequently assess its condition.
Bear attacks in Wisconsin
There are about 24,000 bears and black bears in Wisconsin, but the DNR says they are typically secretative and do their best not to interect with humans. Black bear attacks are rare, but they do occurr in the state—and other parts of the US—from time to time, the agency said.
No attack involving a bear in Wisconsin has been fatal.
Tips to minimize the chance of a bear encounter
As authorities continue the search for the black bear, DNR officials shared a few safety tips to keep residents safe in the event they find themselves face-to-face with a bear.
It would be smart to minimize open food containers and other things that could attract the apex predators while camping or sitting outisde your rural home. The DNR said thic includes bird feeders, which should be kept at least 10 feet above the ground. Garbage should be stored neatly in cans that are both clean and secure from wildlife, according to the agency.
Pet food should never be left outisde the garbage can either.
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How to survive a bear attack
If a bear finds itself inside your home, you should flee to a secure area so the animal has a clear escape path away from you, the DNR advises. While at a safe distance, you should yell or make a lot of noise using household items like pots and pans.
If you encounter bear in the wild, never approach it, run from it or lie down and play dead. Instead, yell at the bear to run or wave your hands above your head to appear bigger than you are. After a little while, you can begin walking backward slowly to make your escape.
If you are ultimately attacked by the bear, the DNR tells residents to fight back somehow.
