A woman running alone on a popular Alaska trail was attacked and injured by a brown bear — but managed to fight back with bear spray and escape on her own.
The frightening encounter happened Thursday near the Prospect Heights trailhead in Anchorage, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Officials said the unidentified woman was running along the Wolverine Bowl Trail when she unexpectedly came face-to-face with a brown bear.
The animal attacked, leaving the runner injured.
But she was carrying bear spray — and apparently knew how to use it.
The woman deployed the spray against the bear, managed to break away and made it back to the trailhead without assistance.
She was later taken to a hospital for treatment. Authorities have not released details about the severity of her injuries.
Wildlife biologists interviewed the woman and searched the area where the attack occurred, looking for tracks, hair or other evidence that could help determine exactly what happened.
Samples were collected, but officials said they were unable to locate the bear.
Warning signs were placed around the trailhead as authorities urged visitors to take bear country seriously, particularly during the summer months when thick vegetation can dramatically reduce visibility.
“Thick, dense summer foliage can block sightlines making surprise encounters more likely,” wildlife officials warned.
They encouraged hikers and runners to choose routes with better visibility and avoid areas known to attract bears, including streams where salmon are present.
Officials also stressed the importance of carrying bear spray — and being prepared to deploy it immediately.
Hikers were advised to practice removing the safety mechanism beforehand and make sure any shipping zip ties attached to the canister have been removed.
The incident is another reminder of just how quickly an ordinary hike or run can turn dangerous in Alaska.
Hundreds of thousands of bears are believed to roam the state, and wildlife officials estimate that some parts of southern Alaska could have roughly one bear for every square mile.
Thursday’s attack also comes after several other frightening encounters involving brown bears.
Last month, a woman hiking with a friend and three dogs in southern Alaska was attacked and injured by a bear.
Also in July, a Kenai resident was mauled after a brown bear accompanied by two cubs climbed over a fence and entered her front yard, according to Alaska public safety officials.
In April, two soldiers stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage were injured when they encountered a brown bear during a training exercise.
And last year, another woman suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a bear outside her home while heading out for a jog.
Bear attacks remain relatively rare, but when they happen, they can be devastating.
An Alaska Section of Epidemiology study found that 68 people were hospitalized because of bear attacks in the state between 2000 and 2017.
Roughly 96% of those attacks involved brown bears.
The latest incident also underscores a simple wilderness safety lesson: carrying the right equipment — and knowing how to use it — can make the difference when a routine trip into the outdoors suddenly becomes a fight for survival.
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