While on a hunting trip on October 15th, two college sophomores faced a bear attack in Shoshone National Forest and were severely injured. They were out with two other members of their wrestling team when they stumbled upon a pile of what appeared to be bear droppings. The Shoshone National Forest is located in Cody, Wyoming just over 20 miles from where the wrestlers attend Northwest College, in Powell, Wyoming.
The Bear Attack
Kendall Cummings and Brady Lowry were hunting antlers with two other teammates, August Harrison and Orrin Jackson when the bear attack occurred. Lowry, who was attacked first, states the bear came running at him from behind a tree. The four students were split into pairs, with Cummings and Lowry hiking to higher ground. Harrison and Jackson were on lower ground and weren’t aware of the bear’s presence until the attack was already well underway.
Lowry suffered a broken arm and a bite to the right thigh. Upon seeing his friend in the midst of a bear attack, Cummings yelled and then grabbed the bear. Not surprisingly this made the bear feel threatened. Cummings was then subjected to the bear attack. Lowry called 911 and yelled to Harrison and Jackson for help. Harrison recalled seeing his friend covered in blood, running down the hill obviously injured. The friends then flagged down first responders.
Treatment and the Future.
Their coach Jim Zeigler explained that Cummings was air-lifted to a hospital sustaining some possibly life-threatening injuries. Meanwhile, Lowry was taken to a local hospital by ambulance. Both however were eventually sent to a trauma center in Billings, Montana. Both boys are expected to make a full recovery but it will take time and likely some physical therapy. Neither will be back to wrestle for the foreseeable future and likely all four teammates have experienced some kind of emotional trauma.
Wrestlers are truly built different.
— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) October 18, 2022
Last Saturday, Northwest College Wrestlings’s Kendell Cummings saved teammate Brady Lowry while he was being mauled by a grizzly bear in Cody, Wyoming, USA. pic.twitter.com/nn9plyYFBd
Read: Man Survives 18 Hours At Sea By Clinging On To Ball Lost By Boys On Beach
Staying Safe
According to the National Parks Service, there are some things you can do to prevent a bear attack. If you like to camp or hike or partake in other outdoor activities it is good to know about your surroundings, the likelihood that you’ll encounter a bear or other wild animal, and what to do should you find yourself facing the possibility of a bear attack. The first thing to note is that a bear’s behavior is often unpredictable so preventing a bear attack can sometimes be a challenge.
However, following some basic guidelines may help you stave off a bear attack:
Staying calm is the first lesson anyone is taught when facing the possibility of encountering a wild animal. Although challenging it’s important to note your uneasiness can cause the bear to panic and want to defend itself. Ensure that you do not catch the bear by surprise as this may also make you more susceptible to a bear attack. Most bears will avoid people if they can hear you coming.
Another tip for avoiding a bear attack is traveling in groups. This will help with the noise factor and alert the bear that you are coming long before you can catch it off guard. When you arrive at a campground, park, or trail, look for a visitor center or billboard with wildlife information. It may tell you what kind of wildlife to be aware of and in what areas they’re commonly found.
Bear pepper spray is also available for purchase at most stores selling outdoor equipment. Should you stumble upon a bear, do not run away, walk slowly sideways. The bears see this as a non-threatening act. Additionally, turning your back on a bear gives them the illusion that you are prey and also prevents you from keeping an eye on them.
Read: Polar bears caught feeding on a whale carcass in breathtaking photos
They can run fast and climb trees so either of those options may escalate the situation. Speaking to bears in a calm tone will let them know that you are a human and not food, or prey. The most important thing to always remember is that keeping calm will almost always deescalate the situation, which funnily enough is true for most situations we encounter in life.
Bears, like most creatures, are curious by nature. This means that if they do not feel threatened by you, they may want to investigate you. An investigative bear may stand on its back legs to get a better look at you, this act is typically non-aggressive. Bears prefer to be left alone so they will try to avoid conflict if possible. Bear attacks are not common. Whether it’s the bear’s territory, food, or cubs, attacks most often stem from an innate need to protect.
What type of bear are you dealing with?
Another important thing to note is whether the bear is a black bear or brown(grizzly) bear. The way to handle these potential bear attacks differs and knowing the difference might save your life. Some things to look out for are where on their body they have a hump, for grizzlies it will be on their upper backs, between the shoulder blades. A black bear will have a similar, but smaller hump on his neck.
They also carry themselves differently. Yellowstone Bear World has a little rhyme to help you remember which bear is which, grizzly bear = raised hump and black bear = raised rump. Another visible difference is the size of their claws. Black bears have smaller claws than grizzlies, whose claws are often much larger and more noticeable. The last visible difference is the shape of their faces and heads.
The black bear has a straight profile whereas on a grizzly you’ll notice an indent from the snout to the head. Grizzly bear ears are round and small( similar to a teddy bear’s) whereas a black bear has long, pointed ears. In the event of a grizzly bear attack, you should play dead, lying on your stomach, legs spread, with your hands behind your head. If the bear attack continues, fight back, hitting the bear in the face. If a rock is nearby that may be a handy tool.
For a black bear attack, escaping or fighting back also hitting them in the head or face will do the most damage. While bear attacks aren’t common they do occur so it’s important to be diligent and stay informed when out in the wild.
Keep Reading: Dying Bear Crushes Skull Of Hunter Who Shot It
Sources
- “Wyoming college wrestlers injured during grizzly bear attack, left ‘blood-soaked,’ coach says” Fox2 KTVU. October 20, 2022.
- “Staying Safe Around Bears.” NPS. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
- “What’s the difference between black bears and grizzly bears?” Yellow Stone Bear World. Retrieved October 18, 2022.