Overview
- The runner, who was attacked Thursday on the Wolverine Bowl trail in Prospect Heights, deployed bear spray, made it back to the trailhead and was later transported to a local hospital for treatment.
- State biologists interviewed the woman, returned to the trail to collect samples and search for bears, but did not locate any animals at the scene.
- Officials posted warning signs at the Prospect Heights trailhead and asked the public to report any aggressive or unusual wildlife using the state's online reporting tool.
- The department warned that thick summer foliage and informal, overgrown trails can block sightlines and increase surprise encounters, and it urged hikers to stay in groups, make noise and avoid trails near salmon-bearing streams.
- The encounter follows several recent bear incidents in the Anchorage area and comes as Alaska officials note many bears live in southern areas and that most documented attacks in the state involve brown bears.