South Hadley, Massachusetts – A wildlife photographer in Wyoming had a harrowing encounter with a grizzly bear that left him with deep gashes but fortunate to be alive. Shayne Patrick Burke was on the hunt for owls in the wilderness of Wyoming when he unexpectedly stumbled upon a mother grizzly bear and her cub.
The situation quickly took a dangerous turn as the bear charged towards Burke, who tried to defend himself by deploying bear spray. Despite his efforts, the bear attacked him, inflicting severe injuries. In a social media post recounting the incident, Burke described the terrifying ordeal of being repeatedly bitten and mauled by the bear.
Despite the violent nature of the attack, Burke managed to survive thanks to his quick thinking and the bear spray. The canister exploded in the bear’s mouth, causing it to retreat and eventually saved Burke’s life. He credited his survival to being prepared and having the necessary knowledge to handle a bear encounter.
Following the attack, park rangers located Burke and provided him with emergency medical care. He was airlifted to a hospital where he underwent surgery to treat his wounds. Fortunately, Burke was released from the hospital the next day and is expected to make a full recovery.
The National Park Service investigated the incident and determined that it was likely a defensive action by the bear, protecting her cub. Burke emphasized the importance of understanding bear safety procedures and being equipped with bear spray when venturing into bear territory.
In a statement, the National Park Service advised backcountry explorers to remain vigilant, make noise, carry bear spray, hike in groups, and avoid running when encountering a bear. The service also highlighted the significance of being prepared and following safety guidelines to prevent bear attacks in the wild.