Campers retreat into kayaks as brown bear destroys their campsite, Alaska rangers say
Campers retreated into their kayaks as a brown bear ripped through their campsite, Alaska national park rangers said.
The two campers set up their site in Glacier Bay National Park on Tuesday, July 12, park officials said. They were planning to camp on the shore of South Fingers Bay when a brown bear approached them.
“The campers retreated in their kayaks,” park officials said in a July 13 news release. “The bear remained onsite and destroyed their camping equipment.”
The campers were picked up by a nearby boat and brought to a cove. Park officials said the bear didn’t get any food in the incident, but they’re issuing a warning for visitors to keep watch after a similar incident happened in the same area.
Three days earlier, a group of six hikers was charged by a brown bear, park officials said. The group used bear spray and screamed as the bear charged.
Park officials don’t know if it was the same bear involved in the incidents.
“Please avoid or be very cautious recreating on the shore of North and South Fingers Bay, and report any negative bear interactions to the Visitor Information Station,” officials said. “Visitors are advised not to camp in this area, to stay alert, and to keep control of gear at all times to reduce the potential for human-bear conflicts.”
The bear advisory will be in effect until Aug. 10.
Glacier Bay National Park is home to brown and black bears. The bears regularly visit the parks’ islands and tourists should expect to see them “almost anywhere,” according to the National Park Service.
What to do if you see a bear
Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. Bears in most attacks are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.
There are some steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.
Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening.
Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack, but they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.
Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack
Pick up small children: Don’t let the kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.
Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.
Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.
Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide you some protection.
Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.
Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.
Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.
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