An Alaska runner deployed bear spray to fight off a brown bear attack on an Anchorage trail this week.
The woman, who was running alone at Prospect Heights’ Wolverine Bowl trail, used her bear spray to escape the encounter on Thursday morning, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. She then self-rescued to the trailhead before being transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Biologists responded to the attack site and collected samples, though no bears were located during their search. Warning signs have since been posted at the Prospect Heights trailhead, and officials have urged hikers to avoid any closed trails in the area.
“Thick, dense summer foliage can block sightlines, making surprise encounters more likely,” the department said in its statement. “Choose hiking routes with good visibility and away from known attractants, like salmon-bearing streams.”
The department emphasized that anyone who spots a bear or other wild animal behaving aggressively or unusually should report it immediately.
For those hiking in bear country, officials recommend carrying a deterrent such as bear spray or a firearm, staying in groups, making noise to avoid surprising bears, remaining alert for signs of bear activity, not approaching bears, and keeping pets leashed at all times.
“If you surprise a bear, especially one with cubs or on a food cache, it may react in a threatened or defensive manner,” the department warned. “The bear may be agitated and may huff, stomp, make a popping sound with its teeth, salivate or lay its ears back against its head and charge.”
They advised staying calm, standing your ground, readying deterrent, remaining in a group, and speaking calmly. Running is strongly discouraged.
“If the bear is stationary, move away slowly while keeping your eyes on the bear,” the department said.
“If the bear starts to move toward you or charges, stop and stand your ground. Let the bear know you are not a threat. Behaving calmly, moving slowly, and speaking in a low calm voice will help de-escalate the situation. If the bear continues to approach, use your deterrent when the bear is within range.”
In the viral moment that preceded this latest incident, another woman was mauled by a bear in Anchorage less than a month prior. That July attack occurred in the Bear Valley residential neighborhood adjacent to Chugach State Park in south Anchorage, where the victim was walking with a friend and her three dogs when a bear approached. Officials said the hikers were on an unofficial, user-made trail that climbed a steep hillside in a zigzag pattern, with dense vegetation creating poor visibility that increased the risk of surprising wildlife. “The bear came out of the dense alders, made brief contact with one of the hikers, and left the scene,” the department said at the time. That woman also suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was expected to recover.
The back-to-back incidents have heightened awareness about bear safety in Alaska’s most populous city, where urban trails frequently intersect with wildlife habitat. Wolverine Bowl, located within Chugach State Park near the Prospect Heights neighborhood, is a popular destination for runners and hikers seeking accessible outdoor recreation close to downtown Anchorage.
Bear spray has proven effective in numerous Alaska encounters. Research cited by wildlife officials notes that of 175 people involved in 72 defensive sprayings, only three were injured, all by brown bears, and all injuries were minor with none requiring hospitalization.
The department continues to monitor bear activity in the Anchorage area and will update trail closures and warnings as conditions warrant.