Black bear euthanized after biting man in Southern Utah

HATCH, Utah (ABC4) — A black bear in southern Utah was euthanized after it bit and hospitalized a man earlier this week.

The Division of Wildlife Resources said the man was bitten by the black bear in the Bryce Woodlands community on Tuesday, June 17, sometime between 10:30 and 11 p.m.

“The man had been sleeping on a cot and was awoken by the presence of a black bear,” DWR said in a statement. “The man initially stayed still in hopes the bear would move on and leave the area, but the bear approached the man and bit him on the arm.”

The man was taken to a local hospital in Panguitch, where he received medical treatment for the bite and was later released.

DWR told ABC4.com that its biologists and officers with the Department of Natural Resources responded to the scene on Wednesday morning and began tracking the bear. With the help of tracking hounds, the bear was found just after 1 p.m.

As the bear had shown aggressive behavior and injured a person, DWR said it was its policy to euthanize the black bear and submit it for disease testing.

According to Wild Aware Utah, black bears are the only bear species in Utah. Thousands live in Utah’s mountains and forests, often in the same places where humans enjoy recreating, such as at campgrounds.

Most of Utah’s black bears can be found on Utah’s more rugged terrain and forested areas, but have been known to travel long distances and outside of their usual wild habitats to find food. Wild Aware Utah said the likelihood of running into bears increases during drought years when their normal food supply is decreased.

“Bears have an amazing sense of smell, and they have no problem eating the same type of foods that people eat,” Wild Aware warns. “As a result, many of the conflicts between people and bears happen because the bears start scavenging for food that humans are eating and cooking in the bears’ natural habitat.”

Utahns camping in areas where bears could be active are advised to keep a clean camp and store scented items such as food, drinks, deodorant, and sunscreen in airtight bags. If you encounter a bear, Wild Aware recommends standing your ground and never backing up, lying down or playing dead with a black bear.

Wild Aware said to stay calm, give the bear a chance to leave, and make yourself look bigger by raising your arms and standing tall. If necessary, be prepared to use bear spray or another deterrent.