The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources reports a black bear has been euthanized in Garfield County after biting a man who was sleeping in a cot.
The incident happened Tuesday in the Bryce Woodlands community sometime between 10:30 pm and 11 pm. The 43-year-old man was sleeping in a cot when he was woken up by a black bear who wandered into his tent. The man was in the area along with co-workers who were camping while building a cabin.
After getting bit, the man fought off the bear and was pursued by the bear as he ran to the safety of his truck. One of his co-workers fired two shots and the bear ran away. The man was treated for a large laceration on his arm which required stitches and a scratch on his back.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists and Department of Natural Resources officers responded to the area Wednesday afternoon and were able to track down the bear. Per DWR policy, the bear was euthanized and then submitted for disease testing.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources believe the bear may have been displaced by the nearby France Canyon Fire, which has burned more than 7,600 acres.
