A 15-year-old boy in Arizona was rescued by his brother after being attacked by a black bear in a bunkhouse last week.
Carol Hawkins, the mother of the victim, Brigham Hawkins, recounted the harrowing event to FOX 10 Phoenix. According to the Arizona Fish & Game Department, the attack occurred on Thursday.
The incident took place while Brigham was watching television in the family’s bunkhouse in Alpine, Arizona, with the rest of the family in a cabin twenty feet away, reported FOX 10.
“The bear came into the cabin and, from what we pieced together, swatted at him from behind the couch and scratched his face,” Carol explained.
Brigham’s 18-year-old brother, Parker, heard the noise and rushed to the bunkhouse. Carol mentioned that Brigham has a rare genetic disorder, so his siblings are accustomed to looking out for him.
“He started screaming but [Parker] could barely hear him, so he went to check on him and thought it was a dog—a really large dog,” Carol recounted. Reported by Fox News
Upon Parker’s arrival, the three-year-old bear turned its attention to him.
“When he got there, the bear turned around, saw him, and started chasing him,” Carol added.
Brigham’s father helped him escape while Parker distracted the bear. Brigham is currently receiving medical treatment for cuts on his arms and face. Officials later captured and euthanized the bear.
“No matter what you do, bad things can happen,” Carol said, expressing her gratitude. “I just feel blessed that things worked out the way they did. I really don’t feel like it’s luck; it’s a blessing.”
While black bears are less likely to attack humans compared to brown bears and polar bears, officials caution that such attacks can still occur. from Yahoo.com
In June 2023, a Tucson, Arizona, resident was fatally mauled by a black bear while drinking coffee on his property.
“Black bears are predatory animals and should always be considered unpredictable and dangerous,” the Arizona Fish & Game Department warned on Facebook Friday. “If you are headed outdoors this weekend, please be aware of your surroundings and secure your food.”
