{"id":14049,"date":"2024-05-24T15:55:43","date_gmt":"2024-05-24T22:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.azgfd.com\/?p=14049"},"modified":"2024-05-24T16:12:34","modified_gmt":"2024-05-24T23:12:34","slug":"bear-attacks-youth-in-alpine-ariz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.azgfd.com\/2024\/05\/24\/bear-attacks-youth-in-alpine-ariz\/","title":{"rendered":"Bear Attacks Youth In Alpine, Ariz."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEWS RELEASE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 24, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALPINE, Ariz. \u2014 The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) dispatched a black bear last night after it attacked a 15-year-old male in Alpine, Ariz. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The victim was sitting inside a cabin when the bear entered through an open door and proceeded to swipe at him from behind. It then left the cabin and approached other family members before entering the cabin a second time and swiping at the victim\u2019s arm. After arriving on scene, AZGFD wildlife officers were able to quickly locate and dispatch the bear. The victim sustained injuries to the face and arm and was treated at a local hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AZGFD officers said the bear was a male black bear estimated to be about 3 years old. The carcass will be examined and tested for disease by the department\u2019s wildlife health specialists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black bears are predatory animals and should always be considered unpredictable and dangerous. Wildlife officers are guided by the department\u2019s human-wildlife conflicts policy which generally describes acceptable or unacceptable wildlife behaviors and the appropriate responses. Public safety is the department\u2019s top priority in these instances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This incident marks the 16th bear attack on people in the state since 1990. There have been two fatal bear attacks in Arizona since then, which is as far back as the department\u2019s database tracks. The most recent fatality occurred last year in Prescott. Due to the recent attack, AZGFD is reminding those visiting or living in bear country to be \u201cbear aware.\u201d Below are some tips to avoid conflicts with bears:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When camping<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n