Bear encounter leaves woman injured in Bear Valley

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Anchorage Fire Department received a report that a brown bear had mauled a woman in Bear Valley Saturday evening.

The call came in around 5:30 p.m. to the area of Kenai Terrace Road and Brewsters Drive. First responders found the woman and took her to the hospital for treatment.

APD said that the woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game said hikers encountered the bear on a narrow, switch-backed trail uphill from the Bear Valley neighborhood.

The bear left the scene after the brief encounter, Fish and Game said. High winds and inclement weather conditions may have increased the chance the bear was surprised by the hikers and their dogs, even if they were making noise.

A single brown bear was spotted by a police drone on a nearby hillside, according to ADF&G. They also squashed rumors that the woman’s dog was killed by the bear, saying the dog was uninjured and ultimately returned home.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information.

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