A California couple sustained significant injuries after a black bear attacked them outside their home in Mammoth Lakes, near Yosemite National Park, authorities said Tuesday. The 17-month-old bear, weighing approximately 70 pounds, was euthanized after the man fought it off with the blunt end of a hatchet.
The attack occurred around 6 a.m. when the woman went outside to investigate her dog barking and found it in a confrontation with the bear. As she tried to intervene, a second dog also ran outside, and the bear turned on her, biting and clawing her. The man attempted to help but was also attacked. The woman used a water bottle to distract the bear, allowing the man to retrieve the hatchet and end the confrontation.
The couple drove to a local hospital, though their conditions were not immediately clear. Their dogs sustained minor injuries. Law enforcement determined the bear posed a public safety threat and euthanized it. Police Chief Dan Casbian noted that bear attacks are extremely rare in the area, as bears typically avoid humans and flee when confronted.
Kory Collins, assistant chief with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, emphasized that while wildlife interactions are rare, they can still occur. He stated that a 70-pound bear can cause significant damage due to its strength and resilience.