Bear attacks man at Mariposa County home

A 67-year-old man fought off a bear that attacked him on his front porch as it scavenged for food on the outskirts of Yosemite National Park.

The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed the attack and said an aggressive animal public safety warning was issued in the area. The bear got on top of the Vietnam vet and left puncture wounds and cuts all over his body, including his face and neck. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said they believe the bear was rummaging through Larry Yepez’s trash when he stepped out of his house in the early morning hours while it was still dark.

He says the man was bitten and scratched on his arms, legs and stomach. But as Yepez’s friend told the Merced Sun-Star, a little old bear wasn’t going to shake him.

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. If you encounter a bear, don’t approach it and call 911 immediately, the sheriff’s office said. Bears have been a problem in the area for the past several weeks.

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

Residents in that area have been advised to be aware of their surroundings, to always have their eye on children and pets and to never to leave food outside, Traverso said. “Bear attacks on humans are very uncommon”, CDFW Lieutenant Chris Stoots told the L.A. Times, but because of the vicious nature of this attack, the bear would be euthanized if caught.