A 36-year-old Alaskan woman is currently hospitalized with serious injuries after being attacked by a bear while out jogging last week.
According to a press release from the Alaska Department of Public Safety, police in Kenai, Alaska were called to the scene of an apparent bear attack early last Tuesday morning.
“Investigation revealed a 36-year-old female departed her residence at 5:45am to go jogging and was near her driveway when the initial attack occurred,” the press release reads. “A neighbor came outside and located her. The victim was medivac to an Anchorage area hospital with serious injuries.”
Alaska Wildlife Trooper David Lorring told KTUU that the woman made it “probably 50 yards from her house” before she was attacked. The bear reportedly “dragged her approximately 100 yards down the road.”
Personnel from the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Kenai Police Department and Alaska Department of Fish and Game searched for the bear to no avail.
According to reports, the victim is Ariean Fabrizio Colton, a nurse and mother of three.
A ‘long road’ ahead
Colton, her husband, and their children had just relocated to Alaska earlier this summer, according to a GoFundMe started by her family.
So far, the fundraiser has brought in over $83,000 toward its $100,000 goal. The page says Colton is stable, but has suffered “severe injuries that will require extensive surgeries and a long hospital stay.”
An update on Saturday said Colton made it through her first surgery with a positive prognosis but a lengthy recovery still ahead.
“We are so appreciative of all donations, prayers, and well wishes on Ariean’s behalf,” the update reads. “Ariean has had her initial surgery and the doctors are positive and hopeful. It is still a long road to recovery, so please continue providing support and sharing this link.”
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Bear safety tips to consider
Whether heading out into the wilderness or living in an area where bears may be present, it’s important to exercise caution regarding these creatures.
In 2021, Bill Hunt, the Resource Conservation Manager for Banff National Park, spoke with Men’s Journal about some important bear safety advice to remember.
“It is your responsibility as a user of the wilderness,” Hunt said. “Get to know your seasonal hazards and plan your recreation around that.”
Hunt also recommends avoiding feeding bears and giving out “improper food signals,” which could cause the animals to come back looking for a meal.
Additionally, Hunt says humans should make their presence known when out in the wilderness so bears are not surprised when they see them.
“When you are out on the trails, make a lot of noise,” Hunt said. “We don’t recommend bear bells, we recommend yodeling or ‘hoot- hooting.’ Make it loud, make it travel far enough that a bear can hear you.
“There is lots of camera data showing humans and bears literally minutes apart on trails; if a bear can hear you coming, they will most often get out of the way. But if you surprise a bear, that is when a surprise encounter occurs—you and the bear are then inclined to react poorly.”
