Oregon Woman Survives Black Bear Attack

Because of the recent increase of bear and human encounters, fish and wildlife officials remind residents to not feed bears or any other wildlife.

Photos of victim courtesy: Oregon State Police

(SANDY, Ore.) - State Police officials say a Sandy-area woman received non-life threatening injuries late Sunday night when she encountered a black bear at her home.

Rick Hargrave with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, says around 11:00 PM Sunday, the 58-year old woman who lives about five miles northeast of Sandy, heard noises coming from her back porch.

"Upon investigating the noises she opened her rear door and found the bear feeding on sunflower seeds stored in an aluminum garbage can." Hargrave says the bear swiped at her, injuring her on the arm, foot and thigh. The bear then ran off.

Hargrave says the bear returned around 3:00 AM, but was scared off by the woman's husband who then called police. An OSP Fish & Wildlife trooper and two Clackamas County sheriff deputies responded to the couple's home but could not find the bear.

"The woman suffered scratches and a puncture wound. She initially treated herself, and later sought medical attention at a local hospital," Hargrave said.

Wildlife biologists from ODFW are working with State Police Fish & Wildlife troopers, and the USDA Wildlife Services to place a bear trap near the area of Coalman Road, northeast of Highway 26.

Because of the recent increase of bear and human encounters, ODFW reminds residents to not feed bears or any other wildlife.

Hargrave adds that feeding bears - even unintentionally by leaving garbage bins accessible - habituates them to people and makes them a public safety risk.

For tips on how to reduce unintentional bear feeding, you can visit this link: dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/black_bears.asp

Source: Oregon State Police