The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Friday that a resident, 66-year-old Stephen Jackson, died in an “extremely rare” bear attack.
The raid occurred around 7:50 a.m. Friday in the Groom Creek neighborhood near Prescott and was responded to by state Game and Fish officials and other law enforcement forces, along with Yavapai County lawmakers.
“Jackson was sitting in a chair on his property when he was attacked by a bear,” Yavapai County Sheriff David Rose told reporters Friday afternoon. “We know it’s an adult male bear. There was quite a fight and neighbors reacted. They heard[Jackson]screaming for help, They tried to get the bears to stop attacking, they were honking, they weren’t like what they were doing. They were unsuccessful in stopping the attack. ”
The black bear dragged Jackson “probably 75 yards” from the property and tried to eat him, but a neighbor shot and eventually killed the bear, Rose said.
Arizona Game and Fish site supervisor Darren Tucker said the last known fatal bear attack in Arizona was in the Pinetop area in 2011, calling the attack ” “It was predatory,” further emphasizing its “extremely rare” nature. Nature. “
“We didn’t see any obvious attractants. The site and surrounding housing looked pretty clean,” Tucker told reporters. “But usually when there is a conflict between wildlife and humans, nine times out of 10, it has something to do with food, whether it’s feeding wildlife or accessing garbage bins. We don’t know if there is such a thing as we continue to investigate and information will come out.”
Tucker said the initial assessment of the bear was determined to be “healthy and in good condition,” but the results of a full body autopsy on the bear could help identify factors that may have caused the attack. said.
As for the safety of nearby residents, Rhodes said there was no noticeable threat to the community.
“We have no other information that there are aggressive animals or bears in the area,” Rose said.
moreoverThe sheriff’s office advises the public not to shoot bears unless there is an immediate threat to their own safety or the safety of others, otherwise it is against the law.
If you encounter a black bear, keep these tips in mind: US Department of Agriculture:
- Do not follow or approach bears.
- Do not feed bears.
- Leave the area quietly while keeping an eye on the bear.
If a bear approaches:
- Move away slowly.
- Keep animals within sight.
- Speak calmly, in a low, strong voice.
If attacked:
- You might end up in a rut or a ditch.
- Lie on your stomach with your neck covered and spread your legs so that the bear is less likely to be flipped over.
- Keep your backpack on your back for extra protection.
- Do not struggle or scream.
- Once the bear has stopped attacking, stay still until the bear is completely out of the area.
This is a developing story. Please check the latest information.
