Bear attack in Mariposa County prompts safety warning

The bear was rummaging through a bag of trash outside a house in Midpines, California, west of the Yosemite National Park, when a man walked outside and startled it, said California Department of Fish and Wildlife Warden Chris Stoots.

The man fought off the bear, but in the process suffered multiple puncture wounds and lacerations to his head, legs, arms, abdomen, hands and feet, the release stated.

“Bear attacks on humans are very uncommon”, he said.

The victim was struck from behind and seriously injured in the attack, said Jordan Traverso, spokeswoman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, but was still able to drive himself to the hospital. “There’s no specific protocol for how the bear would be euthanized, but it would most likely be shot in the most humane way possible”, he said.

Officials including officers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are at the scene today searching for the bear, Stoots said. There is no information on whether the man did anything that might have provoked the attack.

The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to watch their children and pets, and dial 911 if they encounter a bear.

But then again, he said, “this is bear country”.

Stoots said people should not leave food or water unattended near a home, and they should always keep trash away from their property.