Bear Attacks in the United States and Canada
Bears are one of the great symbols of the North American outdoors. For hunters, fishermen, campers and hikers, seeing a bear can be one of the most memorable experiences in the wild. But a close encounter can also turn dangerous in seconds.
This report looks at publicly documented human-bear attacks in the United States and Canada during the past year. It includes black bears, grizzly bears and brown bears in incidents where people were injured or killed.
About This List
There is no single government database containing every bear attack in the United States and Canada. This is therefore a collection of incidents publicly documented through wildlife agencies, police reports and news organizations.
The list should not be considered a guaranteed census of every bear encounter. Some incidents remain under investigation, and in several cases officials have not been able to positively identify the individual bear responsible.
Research updated September 7, 2026.
United States
September 2025 — Franklin County, Arkansas
Bear: Black bear
Victim: Vernon Patton, 72
Outcome: Fatal
Vernon Patton was working near his tractor in the Mulberry Mountain area when a young black bear attacked him. His son arrived and attempted to drive the animal away.
Wildlife officers later killed the approximately 70-pound bear. Patton suffered severe injuries and died on September 14.
September 2025 — Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Bear: Believed to be a grizzly
Victim: 29-year-old solo hiker
Outcome: Injured
A 29-year-old man hiking alone was attacked after a close encounter on the Turbid Lake Trail in Yellowstone National Park.
The hiker used bear spray during the encounter and suffered significant injuries to his chest and arm. He was transported for medical care.
October 2, 2025 — Newton County, Arkansas
Bear: Black bear
Victim: Max Thomas, 60
Outcome: Fatal
Max Thomas was killed at a campground in the Ozark National Forest. Investigators found evidence that a bear was responsible.
Wildlife officials later killed a bear they believed was responsible. Subsequent testing showed that the euthanized bear was not the animal that killed Thomas.
The actual attacking bear was not publicly confirmed.
April 2026 — Anchorage, Alaska
Bear: Brown bear
Victims: Two U.S. Army soldiers
Outcome: Injured
Two soldiers were attacked by a bear during a training exercise near a bear den.
Both soldiers used bear spray and were transported for medical treatment. The incident was considered a defensive encounter.
May 3, 2026 — Glacier National Park, Montana
Bear: Grizzly
Victim: Anthony Pollio, 33
Outcome: Fatal
Anthony Pollio was hiking alone on the Mt. Brown Trail when he encountered a grizzly at close range.
Pollio failed to return from his hike and was later found by search crews. Investigators concluded that the death resulted from a surprise encounter with a grizzly.
July 2026 — Bear Valley, Anchorage, Alaska
Bear: Brown bear
Victim: Woman hiker
Outcome: Injured
A woman hiking with a friend and three dogs encountered a bear on a narrow, heavily vegetated trail where visibility was poor.
The bear attacked and injured her. The encounter was another example of how quickly a bear encounter can become dangerous when people and bears meet at close range.
August 2026 — Anchorage, Alaska
Bear: Brown bear
Victim: Runner
Outcome: Injured
A runner was attacked while traveling alone on a trail in Anchorage. She successfully used bear spray and escaped the attack.
She suffered puncture, bite and claw injuries and received medical treatment.
August 20, 2026 — Crystal, New Mexico
Bear: Black bear
Victim: Benjamin Halona, 67
Outcome: Fatal
A black bear entered Benjamin Halona's home and fatally mauled him. Police later located and killed the bear.
The death was particularly notable because New Mexico had gone approximately 25 years without a fatal bear attack.
August 21, 2026 — Jefferson County, Colorado
Bear: Black bear
Victim: Fisherman
Outcome: Injured
A fisherman was attacked near the South Platte River. The bear knocked him down and bit his legs before leaving the area.
Wildlife officers later located and euthanized the bear.
August 27, 2026 — Northern Alaska
Bear: Species not publicly confirmed
Victim: Jadon Nicoara, 27
Outcome: Severe injuries
Jadon Nicoara was hunting caribou with his cousin near Deadhorse when a bear charged at close range and mauled his face.
His cousin intervened and fired at the bear, eventually driving it away. Nicoara was airlifted for treatment and required multiple surgeries.
August 2026 — Estes Park, Colorado
Bear: Black bear
Victim: Woman in her 80s
Outcome: Injured
A black bear entered a home in Estes Park through an unlocked first-floor window at approximately 4:30 in the morning.
The homeowner encountered the bear in her kitchen. The bear charged, knocked her down and scratched her abdomen.
Canada
September 16, 2025 — Nipigon, Ontario
Bear: Black bear
Victims: Two residents
Outcome: Injured
A bear entered a home after a dog went outside. The animal attacked the two residents inside the house.
Both residents suffered injuries and required medical treatment. The bear was later killed.
October 2, 2025 — East Kootenay, British Columbia
Bear: Grizzly sow with cubs
Victim: Joe Pendry, 63
Outcome: Fatal
Hunter Joe Pendry encountered a grizzly sow and cubs while hunting. The bear attacked him at close range and inflicted devastating injuries to his head, face and body.
Pendry survived the initial attack but died weeks later after complications related to his injuries.
October 2025 — Prince George Area, British Columbia
Bear: Grizzly
Victims: Two hikers
Outcome: Injured
Two hikers were attacked by a grizzly near Pass Lake. Both victims were hospitalized.
The incident occurred in remote forested country where visibility was limited.
November 20, 2025 — Bella Coola, British Columbia
Bear: Grizzly
Victims: 11 people
Outcome: Four hospitalized
One of the most serious incidents of the year occurred when a grizzly attacked a group of elementary school students and teachers during a walk near Bella Coola.
Eleven people were injured. Four were taken to hospital, including three children and an adult.
The attack became one of the year's most closely watched bear incidents because of the number of victims involved in a single encounter.
May 8, 2026 — Northern Saskatchewan
Bear: Black bear
Victim: Hrishikesh Koloth, 27
Outcome: Fatal
Hrishikesh Koloth was working at a remote uranium exploration site in northern Saskatchewan when he was attacked by a black bear.
The isolated location of the work site demonstrated the additional risks faced by people working in remote bear country.
July 15, 2026 — McTavish Lake, Saskatchewan
Bear: Bear confirmed; species not stated in the
initial provincial release
Victims: Two people
Outcome: Fatal
Two people were found dead at McTavish Lake following a bear incident. Conservation officers located and euthanized a suspected bear.
A later necropsy confirmed that the euthanized bear was the animal involved in the incident.
August 2, 2026 — Near Gold Bridge, British Columbia
Bear: Grizzly sow with cub
Victim: Woman, 72
Outcome: Severe injuries
A 72-year-old woman was attacked by a female grizzly believed to have a cub.
She suffered severe injuries, including a broken neck and serious wounds to her face and arms. She was airlifted to Vancouver for medical treatment.
August 9, 2026 — Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Bear: Black bear; attacking animal not confirmed
Victim: Three-year-old child
Outcome: Injured
A three-year-old child was attacked by a bear outside her family's residence.
The child was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police later killed a bear they believed was responsible, but a necropsy showed that the killed bear was not the animal that attacked the child.
August 9, 2026 — Near Pemberton, British Columbia
Bear: Grizzly
Victim: Lone hiker
Outcome: Injured
A lone hiker encountered a grizzly at close range in the Rutherford Creek drainage.
The bear attacked, but the hiker escaped and obtained medical treatment. Conservation officers classified the encounter as a defensive surprise encounter.
September 4, 2026 — Callaghan Conservancy, British Columbia
Bear: Unknown — black bear or grizzly
Victim: Woman hiker
Outcome: Injured
Three hikers encountered two bears near Conflict Lake. One of the bears attacked a woman before disengaging.
She suffered a serious leg laceration and was flown to hospital.
Conservation officers later euthanized an adult male black bear found at the scene. Officials have not confirmed that it was the attacking bear or whether the attacking animal was a black bear or a grizzly.
What This Year of Attacks Shows
Surprise Encounters Are a Major Factor
Many bear attacks happen when people and bears encounter each other suddenly at close range. Dense vegetation, narrow trails and poor visibility can make these encounters particularly dangerous.
Bears Are Moving Into Developed Areas
Several of the year's serious attacks happened around homes and communities. Bears entered houses in places such as New Mexico, Colorado and Ontario.
Food Can Bring Bears Into Conflict With People
Garbage, bird feeders, food scraps and other attractants can bring bears closer to people. Keeping these attractants secured is one of the most important ways to reduce conflict.
Mothers With Cubs Require Extra Caution
Several serious encounters involved female bears with cubs. A mother bear can react extremely quickly when she believes a person has gotten too close to her young.
Bear Spray Can Be an Important Last Line of Defense
Bear spray was successfully used during several recent encounters. Anyone traveling in bear country should carry it where it can be reached quickly and should know how to use it before an encounter occurs.
Bear Safety
- Make noise when traveling through dense vegetation or areas with limited visibility.
- Travel with other people whenever possible.
- Keep dogs under control in bear country.
- Keep food, garbage and other attractants secured.
- Carry bear spray where it can be reached quickly.
- Never approach a bear for a photograph.
- Give bears plenty of room and never intentionally corner one.
- Follow instructions from local wildlife agencies.
The correct response can depend on the species of bear and the circumstances of the encounter. Always follow the current guidance from local wildlife officials.
Some of the Most Serious Incidents
- Bella Coola, British Columbia: 11 people injured in one grizzly attack.
- McTavish Lake, Saskatchewan: Two people killed in one bear incident.
- Glacier National Park, Montana: Anthony Pollio killed in a grizzly encounter.
- Northern Saskatchewan: Hrishikesh Koloth killed by a black bear.
- East Kootenay, British Columbia: Joe Pendry suffered catastrophic injuries in a grizzly attack and later died.
- Crystal, New Mexico: Benjamin Halona killed inside his home.
Important Note About This Report
This page is a research summary of publicly reported human-bear attacks from September 7, 2025 through September 7, 2026.
The United States and Canada do not maintain one comprehensive public database covering every human-bear encounter. Therefore, this page should be described as a collection of documented publicly reported attacks, rather than a guaranteed complete census.
Incident details can change as wildlife agencies complete investigations, necropsies and DNA testing. Where the attacking bear has not been positively identified, that uncertainty is specifically noted.
Research Sources
Information for this report was compiled from wildlife agencies, police agencies and established news organizations.