Arizona Teen Survives After Being Attacked by Black Bear

In a harrowing incident, Arizona teen Brigham Hawkins, 15, narrowly escaped serious harm after being attacked twice by a black bear inside his family's cabin in the Alpine.

The encounter, occurring late at night on Thursday, May 23, has drawn attention to bear safety protocols in wilderness areas, Yahoo! News reports.

The Arizona teen was quietly watching TV with the cabin door ajar when the unexpected occurred, a black bear, later identified as a 3-year-old male, entered through the open door.

The bear, described by Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) officials as opportunistic in search of food, surprised Brigham from behind and delivered several powerful swipes, causing deep lacerations across his face and body.

The suddenness and ferocity of the Arizona bear attack stunned Brigham, compounded by his rare neurological disorder that hampers his mobility, leaving him vulnerable to the bear's advances.

Bravery Amid Chaos

After the initial assault, the bear briefly left the cabin but returned shortly after, escalating the danger. This time, it targeted an Arizona teen's arm, intensifying the family's ordeal.

Brigham's older brother, Parker, responded heroically upon hearing his brother's cries for help.

Rushing to the scene, Parker confronted the bear, diverting its attention away from Brigham and allowing their father to safely remove him from harm's way, according to Arizona's Family.

The timely intervention by Parker averted what could have been a tragic outcome, according to Shawn Wagner, AZGFD Law Enforcement Supervisor, who praised the family's quick actions in a moment of crisis.

Upon arrival, AZGFD officers swiftly located and euthanized the bear approximately 120 feet from the cabin. The decision was made to safeguard public safety and prevent further potential encounters.

Subsequently, the bear's body was transported to a state health laboratory for examination, including testing for rabies, a precautionary measure routinely taken in such incidents.

Meanwhile, an Arizona teen was promptly transported to a local hospital, where medical staff initiated treatment for his injuries and administered a rabies vaccine as a preventive measure.

Carol Hawkins, Brigham's mother, expressed profound relief and gratitude for Parker's bravery and the swift response of emergency responders.

She recounted the family's shock and disbelief at the bear's brazen entry into their cabin, underscoring the unforeseen nature of the attack.

Despite the trauma inflicted on the Arizona teen, Carol remained optimistic about his recovery, noting his positive attitude and appreciation for the support received from their community.

Bear Safety Awareness

In the aftermath of the incident, AZGFD reiterated key safety measures for residents and visitors in bear-inhabited areas.

Recommendations included securing food and other potential attractants, such as garbage and pet food, to minimize interactions with bears.

Additionally, individuals were advised to maintain a clean campsite, avoid leaving food unattended, and properly dispose of waste to reduce the likelihood of attracting wildlife.

The Arizona bear attack marked the 16th documented incident involving human-bear encounters in Arizona since 1990, with only a small number resulting in fatalities, Fox News noted.

AZGFD emphasized that while such incidents are rare, they underscore the importance of understanding and respecting wildlife habitats.

Bears, classified as predatory animals, can exhibit unpredictable behavior, reinforcing the need for vigilance and adherence to safety guidelines when venturing into bear country.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Teen recovering after bear attack in eastern Arizona cabin, mother says - From Arizona's Family (3TV / CBS 5)