Teenager attacked by black bear in eastern Arizona cabin

ALPINE, AZ — A 15-year-old boy is recovering after being attacked by a bear in eastern Arizona on Thursday.

Officials with the Arizona Game and Fish Department said they were notified of a black bear attack in Alpine near the Arizona-New Mexico border.

Google Earth, KNX

Officials say the boy was sitting in a cabin when the bear entered through an open door and struck him from behind. The bear then left the cabin and approached other family members before re-entering the cabin and striking his arm.

The boy suffered injuries to his face and arm and was taken to hospital for treatment.

When game wardens arrived, they found the bear and “taken it down.” The photo above is a stock photo of a black bear, not the bear involved in this incident.

According to the AZGFD, the bear was a male black bear estimated to be about three years old. The bear’s carcass is currently being examined by wildlife health specialists and tested for disease.

According to AZGFD, this incident is the 16th bear attack on humans in Arizona since 1990.

Last year, a man was killed in an “unprovoked” bear attack near Prescott.

To prevent bear attacks outdoors, Department of Conservation officials have offered the following tips:

When camping

• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Keep food and bait safe and out of bear reach. Do not store food in a tent.
• Do not allow leftover food or waste to burn on the grill.
• Set up camp away from places where bears might forage for food, such as streams, rivers, and other bodies of water.

While hiking

• Do not use scented lotions, deodorants or perfumes.
• Make noise or walk in groups.
• Hiking with a pet? Always keep your pet on a leash.

In case of a bear encounter

• Do not run.
• Back away slowly, maintaining eye contact with the bear.
• Make yourself appear taller than you are by showing off your arms or pulling your shirt/jacket higher than your head.
• Throw objects and scream at the bear.
• If you are attacked, defend yourself.

Click here for more information from the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

If you see bears exhibiting unacceptable behavior, staying in human-occupied areas, and/or showing no fear of humans, please report the sighting to AZGFD at 623-236-7201. In an emergency, call 911.