Efforts To Trap Bear Involved In Recent Wisconsin Attack Have Now Concluded

In July, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced it was investigating a bear attack that had happened near the town of Comstock, located in Barron County.

According to the DNR, on the afternoon of Saturday, July 12, 69-year-old Karen Frye was attacked by a black bear while outside at her rural residence. Despite suffering severe injuries, Frye was able to call 911 for help.

Local DNR wardens and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services staff also responded to the incident. Upon arrival, they located a cub in a tree, indicating this incident involved a sow, an adult female bear, and a cub.

That may have played a role in the attack because, while black bears are generally secretive, not aggressive, and tend to avoid humans as much as possible, they are sometimes known to be aggressive if cubs are present and feel threatened.

Preliminary findings, including information coming from the family, suggest the bear exhibited a sustained series of aggressive behaviors towards the victim. Authorities shared that black bears displaying aggressive behavior are at an elevated risk of repeating the behavior.

Victim Recovering, and a Plan To Capture the Bear and the Cub Put Into Place

The DNR provided an update on Karen Frye, who had been treated by two hospitals for her injuries, and was recovering and in stable condition.

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The DNR announced its mission was to set out traps to capture and then humanely euthanize the bear involved so that it could be tested for rabies to determine whether injury or illness may have contributed to the bear’s behavior and to help assess rabies exposure and risk to the victim per standard human health protocols.

They also hoped to locate the cub so that it could be relocated and released into the wild. The DNR noted that by this time of year, cubs can survive on their own, and this cub will likely have a better opportunity to thrive in the wild without human intervention.

**UPDATE: DNR Announces Conclusion Of Efforts In This Case**

On July 28, the DNR announced it had concluded efforts to trap the black bear involved in the Barron County attack, adding that the sow and cub involved have not been observed since the attack.

The DNR, in partnership with the Barron County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Department of Agriculture - Wildlife Services, has maintained and monitored a series of live-traps and game cameras on the property since the attack occurred.

Randy Johnson, DNR large carnivore specialist, stated that after setting traps and conducting two weeks of round-the-clock surveillance on the property, there were no additional signs of the bear involved in the attack, and they are out of options in the investigation.

"We've trapped and released two boar (male) black bears, two yearling bears, and two sows determined to be unrelated to the incident. We also collected a dead sow found along a roadway about 1.6 miles from the site of the attack. Initial necropsy results are consistent with injuries from a vehicle collision, and there is no evidence of it being the same bear linked to the attack", Johnson added.

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Although trapping efforts have ceased, the DNR says it will continue to monitor the area. Karen Frye continues to recover from the attack. She is in stable condition and doing well.

Best Practices To Avoid Bear Conflicts

Wisconsin is home to an estimated 24,000 bears, and while very rare, there have been reports of bear attacks in the state. To date, there have been no reports of human fatalities resulting from encounters with wild black bears in Wisconsin.

However, it's still important to take action to avoid potential bear conflicts, and the DNR encourages residents to follow these tips to stay safe should they encounter a bear.

Minimize food attractants around your residence or camps.

• Bird feeders should be only used in the wintertime or brought in at night and made inaccessible to bears. Deter bears by hanging feeders 10 feet from the ground and five feet out from any surface. If a bear does find the feeder, remove it immediately.
• Keep garbage cans secured, clean, and inside sheds if possible. Do not leave loose garbage around.
• Do not leave pet food outside.
• Keep grills clean and secure.

If you encounter a bear in your yard or around your home:

• Place yourself in a secure area so the bear has a clear escape path.
• Make a lot of noise by yelling, honking a car horn, or banging pots and pans.
• Consider installing motion-activated water sprinklers, lights, or alarms.

If you encounter a bear while hiking, hunting, or camping:

• Never approach a bear.
• Do not run.
• Do not lie down or play dead.
• Talk to the bear or start shouting if it doesn’t leave.
• Raise your arms above your head and wave them to appear larger than you are.
• Slowly back away and don’t turn your back on the bear.
• Always leave an escape route for the bear.
• Fight back if attacked.

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