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Cyclist Survives Grizzly Attack

Playing dead saves Alaska man's life

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 16, 2010 2:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – An Alaskan cyclist survived a grizzly bear attack with just minor injuries after playing dead. The pharmacist was riding his bike to work along a trail in an Anchorage park when he surprised a bear, who charged him. He played dead while the bear—a mother with her cub—swatted him and bit him once, leaving him with a torn ear and lacerations to his calf, the Anchorage Daily News reports.

The man was able to ride his bike to a nearby hospital after the bear departed. Since the bear was acting defensively instead of aggressively, state officials are not planning to hunt it down. "By this guy's account, this was absolutely a bear being a bear," a wildlife official told AP. "He stumbled on to a sow with a cub at close quarters."

Some wildlife experts say you should play dead if you see one of these coming at you.
Some wildlife experts say you should play dead if you see one of these coming at you.   (Shutter Stock)
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He did everything he was supposed to do right.
- Alaska Fish and Game
spokesman Rick Sinnott

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Snarfeh
Jun 16, 2010 5:24 PM CDT
Didn't know they made cyclist seats to hold balls that big.....
Fatquah
Jun 16, 2010 3:04 PM CDT
That's why I always attach a flame thrower to my bike when riding through bear country.
inkedheart
Jun 16, 2010 2:41 PM CDT
O_O yikes! Hope the guy is OK!
 

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