MOAB – A 13-year-old young man survived a bear attack at the Dewy Bridge Campground along the Colorado River near Moab Friday morning around 5:45 a.m., said Mark Hadley The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) spokesman.
“The young man was bitten by the bear while sleeping,” Hadley said in a statement. “He was injured on his right cheek and his right ear and went to the emergency room in Moab.”
He was then transported by ambulance to a hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado and was treated and released. The young man said the bear was about his same size, so officials suspect it was a smaller bear.
DWR received a call about the attack at 7 a.m. Friday morning. The DWR is coordinating with USDA-Wildlife Services (WS) to track and capture the bear, Hadley said.
The bear was last seen heading towards the Colorado River. State and federal officials located bear tracks and are attempting to capture the bear with dogs.
They will also be setting multiple traps in the area.
“The campground has been closed, and warning signs will be posted in the area,” Hadley said. “DWR will also have someone at the campground to warn anyone who may land a raft at the boat ramp.”
Because this bear attacked a human, it will be euthanized when it is located.
The DWR will provide updates as they become available.
In June, a black bear attacked a teenage boy in Utah County. The bear was tracked down and euthanized.
Utah is bear country and DWR offers safety tips for people visiting the outdoors. Visit the DWR website: https://wildlife.utah.gov/living-with-bears