Alaska Department Of Public Safety,State Troopers Public Information Office

Dispatch Text:

On November 16, 2023, at 11:45 am, Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Soldotna responded to a report of a bear attack on the Hidden Creek Trail near Skilak Lake. It was determined that a 72-year-old man had been attacked by a bear after he accidentally got between a sow brown bear and her cub. A second person who was with the victim was unharmed. The victim was medevaced to a local hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries and is reported to be in stable condition. Alaska Wildlife Troopers were assisted by Central Emergency Services and an officer from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. All personnel are out of the field and the bears have departed the area. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will be continuing the investigation.