Bear Attack in Anchorage: Survivor’s Story and Safety Tips

A woman was hospitalized in Anchorage, Alaska, after a bear attack while running on the Prospect Heights’ Wolverine Bowl trail. She successfully used bear spray to escape the brown bear, as reported by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Emergency services transported her to a local hospital for treatment.

Biologists visited the site to collect samples, but no bears were seen. Authorities urge the public to report aggressive or unusual animal behavior. Warning signs have been installed at the trailhead, and officials advise avoiding closed trails.

“Thick, dense summer foliage can block sightlines, increasing the chances of surprise encounters,” the department stated. “Choose hiking routes with clear visibility and away from salmon-bearing streams.”

Hiking in bear territory requires caution. Carry deterrents like bear spray or a firearm, travel in groups, make noise, remain alert for bear signs, avoid approaching bears, and keep pets leashed.

The department stressed, “If you surprise a bear, especially with cubs or near a food cache, it may exhibit threatening behavior such as huffing, stomping, or charging.”

If such an encounter occurs, remain calm, stay together, have deterrents ready, and communicate soothingly. Move slowly away if the bear is stationary, maintaining eye contact. If the bear approaches or charges, stand firm, show you are not a threat, and use your deterrent if necessary.

Last month, another woman was attacked in Anchorage, walking with a friend and three dogs in Bear Valley near Chugach State Park. The hikers were on an unofficial trail with dense vegetation that hindered visibility, creating a higher risk of wildlife encounters. The bear briefly contacted one hiker before leaving. The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover.