A woman was hospitalized after a terrifying encounter with a brown bear while running alone on a popular trail in Anchorage, Alaska — but the bear spray she was carrying may have helped save her life.
The attack happened Thursday, Aug. 13, near the Prospect Heights trailhead on the Wolverine Bowl trail, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Authorities said the unidentified woman was trail running by herself when she encountered the brown bear and was injured.
Fortunately, she had come prepared.
The woman was carrying bear spray and managed to deploy it during the frightening encounter before escaping the area on her own.
Despite being injured, she was able to make her way back to the trailhead, where she received help.
She was then transported to a local hospital for treatment. Officials have not publicly released her name or detailed the extent of her injuries.
After the attack, Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologists interviewed the woman and headed back to the location where the encounter took place.
Investigators searched for the bear and other signs of bear activity and collected samples from the area.
But the animal was nowhere to be found.
Wildlife officials subsequently posted warning signs at the Prospect Heights trailhead and urged hikers to stay away from any closed trails.
Authorities said thick summer vegetation can create particularly dangerous conditions because it blocks visibility and increases the chances that a hiker and bear could suddenly surprise one another.
Officials recommended choosing trails with better sightlines and avoiding areas near known bear attractants, including streams where salmon are present.
The attack is especially unsettling because another woman was injured in a separate brown bear encounter in Anchorage less than a month earlier.
On July 18, a woman was hiking with another person and three dogs on a narrow trail above the Bear Valley neighborhood when a brown bear suddenly emerged from thick vegetation.
Officials said that bear made brief contact with the woman before leaving. She suffered injuries that were described as non-life-threatening. Poor visibility, heavy vegetation and bad weather may have contributed to that surprise encounter.
After the latest attack, wildlife officials again stressed that anyone heading into Alaska bear country should be prepared before hitting the trail.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recommends traveling in groups, making noise while hiking and staying alert for fresh signs of bears.
Pets should also be kept on a leash whenever possible.
Hikers are advised never to approach or crowd a bear and to always carry an effective deterrent, such as bear spray.
If a bear is surprised — particularly if it has cubs or is guarding food — officials warn that it may become defensive.
Warning behaviors can include huffing, stomping, snapping or popping its teeth, excessive salivation, flattening its ears or charging.
If someone encounters a bear, wildlife officials say the person should remain calm, avoid running and have their deterrent ready.
If the bear stays in place, the person should slowly move away while continuing to watch the animal.
If the bear begins moving toward them or charges, officials advise standing their ground and calmly speaking to the animal rather than fleeing. Bear spray should be used once the animal is within effective range.
Officials also warned that not every pepper spray product is suitable for bears.
They recommend buying a canister specifically labeled as “bear spray” or “bear deterrent,” registered with the EPA and capable of spraying at least 25 feet.
Bear spray should contain between 1% and 2% capsaicin and related capsaicinoids, with higher concentrations preferred. Unlike ordinary pepper spray, bear spray releases a wide cloud designed to create a barrier between a person and an approaching animal.
Hikers are also encouraged to practice removing the safety mechanism before heading into the wilderness and to keep the canister somewhere it can be reached immediately.
Expired cans should be replaced because they can lose pressure and may fail when needed.
In this case, the woman appears to have done exactly what officials recommend — carrying bear spray, using it during the attack and then getting herself back to safety.
The brown bear involved in the encounter had still not been located following the initial search.
