Before the bear made contact, the victim lay on the ground and covered his head, possibly kicking the bear in the process. The bear then bit his leg below the knee.
“The bear made one contact and one bite, then immediately retreated into the vegetation in the same way it had come,” the release said.
The cyclist called a friend along for the ride and sought medical attention at Healy Medical Clinic for puncture wounds and cuts.
“The victim believes the bear was lonely and the bear’s weight is estimated at 500 pounds,” the release said.
Troopers said the man was carrying a shotgun, but did not fire.
many bear attacks this year
Although bear attacks are rare, it is not the first in Alaska this year or in the adjacent US.
In August, a solo traveler from Indiana was attacked in Denali National Park. The 55-year-old was hiking alone in thick fog when he was ambushed by a grizzly with two cubs nearby.
The man was taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and was last listed in stable condition with puncture wounds to his leg, ribs and shoulder.
In May, a 39-year-old woman was found dead after an apparent bear attack in southern Colorado.
“She began a search for her and found her body at approximately 9:30 a.m.” on US Highway 550, north of Durango, and called 911, the release said. “CPW wildlife officials responded and noticed signs of consumption on the body and an abundance of bear hair and hair at the scene.”
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