Man Attacked by Black Bear; Gets $310 Ticket for Feeding It
An Alaska man who tried to distract a black bear with barbecue from a church picnic when the animal surprised him, was mauled by the bear and received a $310 ticket from state park officials for feeding the wildlife after his escape.
According to ABC News, officials at the Alaska campground where the attack took place, say Jesus Mabalot, 38, of Anchorage "should consider himself lucky" to be alive.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game spokesman Ken Marsh told ABCNews.com that Mabalot was at a picnic with a church group at Ekluta Lake Campground when he wandered off from the group.
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"I guess he had too a bit too much to drink, he got on his bike, and took a ride down the road," Marsh told ABC News. "He had meat in his day pack when he ran into a bear."
"He threw some meat to the bear, and the bear ate it. He threw another chunk, and the bear ate it and attacked him," Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen said. "It was really brief and really quick."
The Fish and Game spokesman noted that Mabalot was found by a host at the campground, bloodied and washing himself off from the attack. It was the host who called park rangers for help.
He was treated by Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage with minor injuries on Saturday for scratches, bruises, and a puncture wound in his jaw and released from the hospital.
Investigators of the attack are still trying to understand what happened because Mabalot was incoherent when they interviewed him. There were also no witnesses to the attack.
Mabolot was cited and fined $310 for feeding the wildlife which is illegal in Alaska.
The bear is also still on the loose. The state Department of Fish and Game reportedly sent a biologist to help rangers and state wildlife troopers locate the animal but they have come up empty handed.
