Bear attacks in Arizona are rare. Why they happen and how to stay safe
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Residents in communities around Prescott and throughout Arizona were shocked to learn of a fatal bear attack in the Groom Creek area on Friday.
A Tucson man was drinking his morning coffee on his property when a black bear attacked him.
Neighbors reported hearing the man’s cries and tried to help. He was dead when authorities arrived.
Arizona Game and Fish officials labeled the attack as “predatory in nature.” The bear was euthanized.
Darren Tucker, a Game and Fish field supervisor, provided some advice to prevent coming into contact with wildlife.
“If you’re camping, secure your cooler maybe inside a hard sided car. If you’re camping in a tent, don’t ever have any food or toothpaste or anything that could potentially be an attractant inside a tent where you may be," he said.
Officials said the dead man was sitting on his property before the “highly unusual” attack.
Tucker also said the department had not been investigating any bear activity.
The attack was rare and seemingly unprovoked. There have only been 15 bear attacks in Arizona since 1990 — this one was the second fatal attack in that time frame.
Dave O’Connell is the director of animals at Bearizona, an animal park located in Williams that features wolves, bison, panthers and a number of bear species — including adult black bears. The Show spoke with O'Connell about the bear attack.
