Brown bear attacks soldiers training in Alaska
Two U.S. Army soldiers were injured after a encounter with a brown bear in a mountainous training area in Anchorage, according to the military.
The incident occurred Thursday while the soldiers were taking part in a land navigation training exercise in Arctic Valley, part of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson training area.
A military official told the Anchorage Daily News that the soldiers were still receiving medical care as of Friday. Their conditions have not been released, as authorities are still notifying family members.
Both soldiers used pepper spray during the encounter with the bear, the official said. Details remain limited because the investigation is ongoing.
“The safety and well-being of our personnel is our highest priority,” said Lt. Col. Jo Nederhoed, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army 11th Airborne Division.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is investigating the incident, which it described as a likely defensive attack by a bear that had recently come out of hibernation. Officials said the area where the encounter happened has been closed to recreational use.
Investigators have collected samples in an effort to identify the species and sex of the bear involved.
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson covers about 100 square miles within the Municipality of Anchorage, where an estimated 350 black bears and 75 brown bears live freely.
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