Global Courant
The mystery surrounding an unusual bear attack in Arizona has deepened after conservationists released a health report of the dead animal.
A man black bear attacked 66-year-old Steven Jackson while drinking coffee dragged him along 75 feet along an embankment June 16, in the Groom Creek area near Prescott, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
Conservationists called the deadly mauling unusual and “predatory in nature”.
An autopsy was performed on the 365-pound animal, which officials estimate was 7 to 10 years old, the Arizona Game and Fish Department said in a June 21 press release.
The bear was determined to be in “good condition with no obvious signs of illness,” according to Dr. Anne Justice-Allen, a veterinarian who conducted the study.
Human remains, vegetation and seeds were found in the bear’s stomach, conservationists said. The body fat also indicated that it was in a “good nutritional condition”.
And the bear tested negative for rabies, officials said. A bear last tested positive for rabies in Arizona in 1971, according to Arizona Game and Fish.
Finally, the report determined that the animal’s cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds. A neighbor heard Jackson scream and shot the animal dead, officials said.
Prescott is about 100 miles north of Phoenix.
What to do if you see a bear
Bear attacks in the US are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears try to defend their food, cubs or space.
There are steps people can take to prevent a bear encounter from turning into a bear attack.
Identify yourself: Speak calmly and wave your arms slowly. This can help the bear realize that you are human and not a threat.
Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack; they want to be left alone. Speak slowly and in a soft voice to the bear.
Do not shout: Yelling can trigger an attack.
Picking up small children: Don’t let children run away from the bear. It might think they are small prey.
Hiking in groups: A group is noisier and smelly, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.
Make yourself great: Go to higher ground and stand up straight. Do not make sudden movements.
Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from getting to its food, and it can provide protection.
Walk away slowly: Move sideways to appear less threatening to the bear. This also allows you to keep an eye on things.
Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you just like a dog would.
Do not climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.
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