Incredible story of survival out of Haines Junction, Alaska (96-miles west of Whitehorse) where a woman survived a grizzly bear attack thanks to the plastic hair clip she was wearing on her head.
APTN News reports Vanessa Chaput was out for run near her village on June 30th when she encounter three grizzly bears. Having grown up in grizzly bear country, Chaput knew what do:
“I have a really good respect for them just because growing up with my dad and everything. When you go hunting you’re in bear country, things are going to happen. And we have run into bears in the past.”
Chaput attempted to give the bears a wide berth but her dog got off the leash and chased two of the bears away, the third bear was a male and it charged her:
“When the bear had taken me down with my head in its mouth, my first thought was just kind of protect your vitals, so I went straight into the fetal position.”
The bear attacked and was biting her head when the hair clip she was wearing broke in the bear’s mouth. Chaput believes this action stunned the bear who then released her. Chaput regained her feet and hid behind a tree. The bear then charged again but was distracted by her dog who was barking. With the bear focused on the dog, Chaput ran towards the highway where she dialed 911 and then her husband who came and picked her up.
Chaput spent weeks recovering in hospital after suffering puncture wounds, nerve damgage and a broken arm. A nearby campground was evacuated and conservation officers euthanized three bears that matched the description from the attack.
After her violent brush with a grizzlies, Vanessa Chaput does not feel any ill will towards the apex predators and she hope others can learn from her story:
“I don’t blame the bears for what happened. I don’t blame my dog or myself. It was wrong place at the wrong time. Again, it could have happened to anybody.”
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES GUIDE TO BEAR ENCOUNTERS:
Statistics show the best ways to react to bears when you see them:
If you see a bear that is far away or doesn’t see you turn around and go back, or circle far around. Don’t disturb it.
If you see a bear that is close or it does see you STAY CALM. Attacks are rare. Bears may approach or stand on their hind legs to get a better look at you. These are curious, not aggressive, bears. BE HUMAN. Stand tall, wave your arms, and speak in a loud and low voice. DO NOT RUN! Stand your ground or back away slowly and diagonally. If the bear follows, STOP.
If a bear is charging almost all charges are “bluff charges”. DO NOT RUN! Olympic sprinters cannot outrun a bear and running may trigger an instinctive reaction to “chase”. Do not try to climb a tree unless it is literally right next to you and you can quickly get at least 30 feet up. STAND YOUR GROUND. Wave your arms and speak in a loud low voice. Many times charging bears have come within a few feet of a person and then veered off at the last second.
If a bear approaches your campsite aggressively chase it away. Make noise with pots and pans, throw rocks, and if needed, hit the bear. Do not let the bear get any food.
If you have surprised a bear and are contacted or attacked and making noise or struggling has not discouraged an attack, play dead. Curl up in a ball with your hands laced behind your neck. The fetal position protects your vital organs. Lie still and be silent. Surprised bears usually stop attacking once you are no longer a threat (i.e. “dead”).
If you have been stalked by a bear, a bear is approaching your campsite, or an attack is continuing long after you have ceased struggling, fight back! Predatory bears are often young bears that can be successfully intimidated or chased away. Use a stick, rocks or your hands and feet.
