A hunter was attacked and mauled by a grizzly bear in Alaska on Wednesday, injuring him enough to require medical attention, according to local officials.
Jason Long, a 39-year-old from Eagle River, was hunting alone in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve when he was mauled by a mother grizzly with her two cubs, according to a statement from the park. Long reached for his Inreach device and pressed an “SOS” button on it, alerting the Air National Guard for their help.
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A rescue helicopter arrived, and two pararescuers deployed on the scene to treat Long’s wounds, the park said. Long was transported to a number of locations, making his way to Providence Alaska Medical Center, where, as of Wednesday, Long was said to be in stable condition.
There are no plans to locate the bear who attacked Long as it is in the aminal’s nature to protect their cubs, the park said.
“Female bears with cubs are naturally defensive of their young, especially when surprised,” the park’s statement read. “There is no indication that this bear is unusually dangerous.”
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The park reminded its visitors to be “bear aware” when visiting the park by keeping an eye out for signs of bears. These include bear scat, claw marks on trees or logs, and avoiding salmon streams.
