Alaska woman injured in grizzly attack near Juneau
Published Friday, August 8, 2008
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Stumble It!JUNEAU — A Juneau woman walked away after being mauled by a grizzly bear on Admiralty Island.
Alaska State Troopers say 53-year-old Mary V. Hausler was hunting Thursday when the bear attacked her in thick berry bushes.
The bear advanced on her, and when it was about 10 yards away, she assumed the fetal position.
Troopers say the bear attacked, leaving deep puncture wounds between her ribs and on her left leg. Her companion yelled at the bear, and when it came toward him, he shot at it with his rifle.
Troopers say it’s unclear if the bear was hit. It retreated through berry bushes in the opposite direction, and no blood was located.
Hausler walked to the skiff on her own, and was taken to the Juneau hospital. Troopers say she received six stitches to her rib cage and another six to her leg.
Community Discussion
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Has there been an increase in the number of bear attacks this year?
I don't think so, from the anecdotal evidence - we'll see what the "experts" say when the bears go back to bed and the final tally is taken. I think it's just an increase in people putting themselves in situations that are perfect for confrontation: walking by a salmon-spawning stream where bears are known to hang out, in the wee hours; night-time strolls around the back of the lodge where garbage and cooking smells would attract bears... In all the years I've been in Alaska I've never had a confrontation that both human and bear didn't walk away from, even hiking/camping/hunting/fishing in bear habitat, like on Admiralty Island (saw a LOT of the critters there - there's a reason the Natives down there called it "Fortress of the Bears!").
On the radio news they said she was a hunter, which to me means she was probably being silent, rather than deliberately making noise to warn bears of her presence. It seems bears do not like to be surprised. I would think that is what happened there.
Any idea what organization keeps tally? Alaska Fish and Game?
On the lodge attack:
It happened at 11 pm, so there was plenty of light. Not night time or even dusk conditions.
The last time I was at the lodge, the grounds were meticulously maintained. No garbage problems, no cooking smells to speak of. In fact, I think the main garbage area was electrified to prevent habituation.
The attack occurred close to 25 yards from the lodge, which has a reasonably busy flow of people. It was that proximity that led to the hero of the day to hear the attack.
All in all, I don't see an obvious contributing problem in this particular attack.
It sounds reasonable to think you are right on with the hunter attack Panoman.
endotheroad: thanks for the info on Admiralty Island. I didn't know it was the "fortress of the bears," and that pretty much says it all.
Sounds like this one had as close to a happy ending as could be hoped for. She walked away and only needed a few stitches.
Let's all be careful out there!
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