2023: The Year the Bears Bit Back

No doubt, seeing a bear in its natural habitat is an awe-inspiring experience every time. But as human activity continues to expand and encroach on bear’s natural habitats, the potential for dangerous encounters increases. In 2023, there has been a surge in bear attacks, particularly involving grizzly bears, sparking concerns about a new era of human-wildlife conflict. This article explores recent bear incidents and the factors contributing to a rise in bear attacks.

The Rarity of Bear Attacks

Bear attacks are statistically rare, with the chances of encountering one and being injured being extremely low. For instance, in Yellowstone National Park, the likelihood of being injured by a grizzly bear is approximately 1 in 2.7 million visits, according to the National Park Service. Black bear attacks are even less common, as they are generally less aggressive towards humans. However, the year 2023 has seen a notable increase in bear attacks, warranting a closer examination of the underlying causes.

Tragic Incidents in Banff National Park

In September 2023, a grizzly bear attacked and killed a couple and their dog who were backpacking in Banff National Park, Canada.

Parks Canada received an alert about the bear attack and swiftly responded. It took hours for rescuers to reach the site of the attack: The response team had to travel over ground, as bad weather ruled out using a helicopter. Parks Canada says the area is very remote and there were no witnesses to the attack. "We will never know the full details of what led to the attack and will not speculate," it said.

It seems that not even the best preparations could have prevented the fatal attack. When a Wildlife Human Attack Response Team reached the campsite, they found a bear-proof food bag hanging in a tree, as recommended. A discharged can of bear spray was also found at the site, implying the campers had tried to force the animal to leave.

The couple, both 62, also knew the region — Banff's Red Deer Valley — very well.

The bear displayed aggressive behavior upon rescuer’s arrival, forcing them to euthanize it to ensure public safety.

"This incident is the first grizzly bear caused fatality recorded in Banff National Park in decades," Parks Canada said in a message to NPR.

Bear Attack in Yellowstone

On July 22, 2023, a woman's life was tragically cut short by a bear attack on the Buttermilk Trail near West Yellowstone. Her body was discovered on the trail. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks identified grizzly bear tracks in the vicinity, indicating that this was likely an encounter with a grizzly bear. The incident prompted an emergency closure of the Buttermilk area for human safety.

Early Sept. 2, a homeowner reported that a bear with a cub had broken through a kitchen window and taken a container of dog food, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said in a statement.

Later that day, agency workers captured the cub and shot the 10-year-old female grizzly with authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Genetic analysis and other identifying factors confirmed that the killed bear was involved in the July 22 Buttermilk Trail fatal attack on Amie Adamson, 48, a former teacher from Kansas. Efforts to trap the bear at that time were unsuccessful.

The bear, which had been captured in 2017 for research purposes, was also involved in an attack in Idaho that injured a person near Henrys Lake State Park in 2020. The park is 16 miles (26 kilometers) by road from West Yellowstone.

The expanding populations of both humans and grizzlies in Montana raises concerns about the potential for more frequent human-bear interactions.

A Sheepherder in Colorado was Attacked by a Bear

In early July 2023, CNN reported that a 35-year-old man herding sheep in the San Juan National Forest in Colorado was severely injured when a black bear attacked him and his sheep. Two sheep were killed in the attack, which occurred in the early morning of July 11, 2023.

When the man went to check on his sheep after hearing a disturbance, the bear attacked the sheep. When the man fired a rifle at the creature to defend his flock, the bear attacked him. Although he suffered bite wounds to his head and body, he could crawl to his tent and call for help, CNN reports.

An Oregon Man was Attacked by a Bear

La Grande, Oregon, resident Craig Lankford shot a black bear on May 23 that was harassing his chickens. But when Lankford went to look for the bear the next day, the wounded bear attacked him, despite being reshot by Lankford, reports television station KPTV.

The bear was found by authorities and euthanized. Lankford suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his arms and head.

A Woman and her Child Were Killed in the First Polar Bear Attack in 30 Years

A young mother and her one-year-old son were mauled to death by a polar bear in Wales, Alaska, in January 2023, marking the first fatal polar bear attack in 30 years. The Guardian reports that the attack happened right in front of a school, and school officials closed window blinds in the building so the children inside didn’t witness the attack.

Arizona Man Killed in an Unprovoked Bear Attack

A 66-year-old man in Arizona was attacked and killed by a male black bear on June 16, 2023 while on his porch having his morning coffee. The Arizona Game and Fish Department stated the unprovoked attack was “highly uncommon” and “appeared to be predatory in nature."Steven Jackson of Tucson was killed after the bear attacked him and dragged him 75 feet down an embankment. Eventually, a neighbor could shoot and kill the bear while it was “in the process of consuming the man,” the press release from the Arizona Game & Fish Department read.

“This was an especially aggressive, unprovoked attack that reminds us that wildlife can be unpredictable,” said Todd Geiler, a member of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

A Man was Attacked by a Bear While Rabbit Hunting in Alaska.

A female brown bear attacked a 34-year-old man on June 9, 2023 while he was rabbit hunting in Sterling, Alaska. According to the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the bear had cubs with her.

The man, Nicholas Abraham, shot and killed the bear with a 44-caliber handgun. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries, reports station KTUU.

A Young Boy was Injured in a Bear Attack in Westchester County, NY.

On Aug. 22, 2023, a 7-year-old boy was attacked by a bear cub in his backyard. The victim was playing with his sibling when the attack happened, reports ABC News 7. The boy's parents were present when the attack occurred and were able to get him to a hospital, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Unfortunately, when local law enforcement arrived at the residence around 11 a.m., the bear cub "continued to present a danger to first responders" and was then euthanized on the scene. The cub's body was taken to the Westchester County Department of Health for rabies testing.

Man Attacked by Grizzly in Wyoming's Shoshone National Forest

A Wyoming man was hospitalized with serious injuries after he was attacked by a grizzly bear in the Shoshone National Forest, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced in a statement.

The male victim was conducting survey work in the national forest on August 5, 2023. when he had a close-range encounter with a grizzly bear, according to Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The man was caught by surprise and didn't have time to deploy bear spray and instead dropped to cover his head and neck until the bear left.

Idaho Hunter Kills Grizzly in Self-Defense

A man shot and killed a grizzly bear in an act of self-defense after it charged at him while he was hunting for elk in the Henrys Lake State Park area, the Idaho Fish and Games Department has said.

Authorities said that the hunter was moving through heavy timber when the large adult female grizzly came out of the brush a short distance away from him.

As the hunter yelled to warn his partner of the bear's presence, the animal charged at him.

The hunter was able to draw his gun and fire several times, said the department in their news release, killing the bear just a short distance away, and before it was able to make contact. No human injuries were reported.

Bear Attacks a Woman in Montana

At about 3 p.m., Oct. 1, 2023, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff were notified that a woman was attacked along the bank of Trail Creek, west of Glacier National Park and just south of the U.S. Canadian border. The 73-year-old woman was hospitalized after she was attacked by a bear, Montana wildlife officials said. The attack comes just two days after a couple and their dog were killed by a grizzly bear in Canada and just weeks after a hunter was mauled by a grizzly in Montana.

The woman, her husband and a dog were in the Flathead National Forest Sunday afternoon when a bear emerged from thick brush and attacked her, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said. Her husband deployed bear spray, and the bear moved away from the woman, officials said.

The couple returned to their vehicle and drove to a location where they could call emergency services and the woman was flown to the hospital in Kalispell for treatment.

Officials don't know if a grizzly bear or a black bear was involved.

Grizzly Attack in Montana National Forest

On Friday at 1:47 pm local time, officials received a call from a hunting party reporting that a member of their group had been “attacked by a grizzly bear while tracking a deer,” Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue said in a Facebook post.

The US Forest Service added the victim had shot at and likely wounded the bear.

The caller reported the victim was “in need of immediate medical treatment near Yellow Mule Trail, outside of Big Sky,” the post said.

Law enforcement along with search and rescue team members responded to the area and took the person to a helicopter waiting nearby. He was taken to a hospital in Bozeman, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue said in the post.

Understanding Bear Behavior and Encounters

To effectively address the rise in bear attacks, it is crucial to understand bear behavior and the circumstances that lead to human encounters. Grizzly bears, a subspecies of brown bears, are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act. In the greater Yellowstone area alone, there were approximately 1,063 grizzly bears as of 2021, according to the National Park Service. As their population expands, it is increasingly important for humans to be well-informed and prepared when entering bear territory.

Factors Contributing to Bear Attacks

Several factors contribute to the increase in bear attacks. Deforestation and encroachment on bear habitats disrupt the natural balance, forcing bears into closer proximity with human settlements. Additionally, the effects of climate change, such as wildfires, further compound the issue. These factors drive bears to seek food sources near human-populated areas, increasing the likelihood of encounters and potential conflicts.

Bear Safety Measures and Precautions

While bear attacks are rare, it is essential to take precautionary measures to minimize the risk when venturing into bear country. Here are some key safety tips:

1. Carry Bear Spray: Bear spray is a potent deterrent and should be carried and easily accessible at all times. Familiarize yourself with its proper use before embarking on outdoor adventures.

2. Travel in Groups: Bears are less likely to approach groups of people. Stick together and make noise to alert bears of your presence.

3. Avoid Animal Carcasses: Animal carcasses attract bears, so steer clear of such areas. If you come across a carcass, leave the vicinity immediately.

4. Follow Food Storage Orders: Respect food storage orders from land management agencies. Properly store food, garbage, and other attractants in secure containers or buildings.

5. Know How to React: If you encounter a bear, never approach it. Slowly back away while facing the bear, and leave the area once it is safe to do so. Playing dead is recommended only as a last resort during a bear attack.

The Importance of Education and Awareness

To address the rising human-wildlife conflict, education and awareness play a vital role. Public outreach programs should emphasize the significance of coexisting with bears and respecting their natural habitats. By understanding bear behavior and implementing safety measures, we can reduce the likelihood of dangerous encounters and protect both humans and bears.