A man was attacked in his tent in the Bob Marshall Wilderness by a black bear. This is a very rare event. Black bears are not likely to attack a human and the fact that it looks like the bear in this event approached the human to attack, is even more astonishing. During the late summer, fall and early winter, bears spend most of their time feeding in preparation for winter hibernation. This period is called “hyperphagia.” Bears seem to forage frantically, almost the entire day with only short rest periods. Both black and grizzly bears dramatically gain weight during this time, up to forty pounds per week.
This hyperactive feeding period means that bears are moving and more visible, often meaning an increased chance of a human/bear interaction. For this bear to enter the man’s tent in search for food, whether it was food the camper had or the camper himself, demonstrates a desperate animal. When a bear becomes too desperate in its need for food, it can compromise its fear of humans to achieve a food source. There is a chance that this bear may have found food in a tent before and has been conditioned and habituated to make these poor choices. One thing is clear, something caused this bear to act the way it did. Loss of habitat, elimination of natural food sources, and heightened environmental stress with drought and wildfire in the area likely caused this bear to take desperate measures to survive. Sadly the bear was destroyed by wildlife officials to protect the public. Likely the right decision. But on a high note, the man only sustained minimal injuries and evidence shows that he likely saved his own life by using bear pepper spray. It’s the very essence of the untamed that draws people to experience it but it can not be forgotten that it can sometimes be dangerous. Prepare yourself with knowledge and the right gear. Use common sense and follow your instincts. If you can give the wild that respect, immersing yourself in the wilderness will likely be one of the best experiences in your life.
Check out www.pepperpower.com for tools to keep you safe in the wilderness. Click here for the story.
grizanderson 