Employees of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) responded to the location of a reported bear attack Thursday, April 16, in Anchorage on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). Two soldiers sustained injuries in the attack during a land navigation training event on JBER. They reported having bear spray with them to responding personnel. No bears were encountered at the site by first responders or ADF&G staff during the subsequent investigation.
The attack occurred in a remote area of JBER, with limited access, on the west side of the Glenn Highway. JBER has closed the area near the attack for all recreational activity. Based on the scene investigation and information from other responding agencies, this appears to be a defensive attack by a bear recently emerged from a den.
“We hope both individuals have a full and quick recovery, and our thoughts are with them during this time. ADF&G will continue investigating the circumstances that led to the attack and try to learn everything we can about what happened to increase public safety around wildlife in Alaska.” said Regional Supervisor Cyndi Wardlow. “In this case, having bear spray with them in the field may have saved their lives.”…