DNA tests confirm killed bear attacked woman

Results of DNA testing on an adult male black bear have confirmed that the animal is the one that attacked a woman in Pinetop on Tuesday, June 27.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department conducted a forensic necropsy of the bear on Wednesday, but the procedure did not yield any immediately identifiable human material. However, DNA samples taken from the bear during the necropsy matched bear DNA found on the victim’s clothing.

The analysis was done by the nationally-recognized Wyoming Game and Fish Wildlife Forensic and Fish Health Laboratory.

“Confirmation from the DNA tests gives us complete confidence that we removed the right bear in the interest of public safety. Hopefully, correct identification will provide closure for the victim and her family,” said Larry Voyles, Arizona Game and Fish Department director. “We especially thank the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for dropping their other priorities to immediately process this case. Their responsiveness was key to getting the results so quickly.”

A rabies test carried out by the Arizona Department of Health Services came back negative.

Game and Fish’s forensic necropsy did reveal a significant amount of kitchen garbage in the bear’s digestive tract, suggesting that the animal had been scavenging for food waste in trash cans and dumpsters.

The Gilbert woman was attacked by the bear while walking her dog in Pinetop late Tuesday evening. The attack occurred near Sports Village Loop approximately 60 yards from a dumpster where the bear had been scavenging.

The woman was flown to the Phoenix area for medical treatment and continues to be hospitalized.

Within a few hours, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services personnel arrived and used dogs to track the bear from the scene of the attack. The dogs quickly encountered a bear within a couple hundred yards of the site and treed it after a short pursuit. It was immediately destroyed.

“Bears are particularly active at this time of year. We don’t believe this attack is related to wildfires in northeastern Arizona, but it could be related to continued drought conditions. Bears are easily drawn to human food sources, like dumpsters, trash cans and campsites especially during times of drought. Game and Fish strongly reminds residents living in bear country to be aware of bears in their area and to properly dispose of all food sources in secure containers,” said Voyles.

Bear attacks on humans are rare with only seven cases documented (including the one this week in Pinetop) in Arizona since 1990, which is as far back as the department’s database tracks.

Camping season is here; avoid attracting wildlife 

Despite this year’s wildfires, closures and restrictions, prime camping season is still in full swing in many parts of the high country, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds people heading to the great outdoors to keep a clean campsite to help avoid human-wildlife conflicts.

Primarily, bear activity is up this time of year, as yearling bears leave their mothers and begin roaming more in search of food sources and to establish their own territories. Bears have a keen sense of smell and can be drawn to food in campgrounds. Food is the root cause of many human-wildlife conflicts.

Wildlife officials say it is prudent for all outdoor recreationists to take the following precautions to minimize potential conflicts with bears and other wildlife:

Never intentionally feed wildlife.
Secure all garbage.
Keep a clean camp.
Do not cook in your tent or sleeping area.
Store all food, toiletries and other scented items well away from sleeping areas.
Wash up, change clothing, and remove all scented articles before retiring to your sleeping area.
Walk or jog in groups. Pay attention to your surroundings when hiking, jogging or bicycling.
Supervise your children and keep them in sight.
Keep your pets on a leash—don’t allow them to roam free. Or better yet, leave them at home if you can. Pets can easily get into conflicts with a wide range of wildlife.
Don’t approach wildlife – enjoy it from a distance.

If you are confronted by a bear or other large mammal such as a mountain lion, don’t run, but stay calm, continue facing it, and slowly back away. Try to make yourself look as big and imposing as possible; put young children on your shoulders. Speak or yell and let it know you are human. Make loud noises by clanging pans, using air horns, or whatever is available.

If you encounter a bear or other large mammal in a developed campground, notify the campground host. If you have a problem with a scavenging bear in the forest, notify the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/urbanwildlife.