A bear recently attacked a mother of three outside her home in Alaska, dragging her for some distance.
Alyne Fabrizio Colton, 36, was jogging one morning when the bear assaulted her, as reported on Saturday.
According to Alaska Wildlife Trooper David Rowling, the bear appeared and dragged her about 100 yards away from her house.
A neighbor reportedly heard noise from the bear prior to the attack.
“He was around previously and thought it was just a dog or something similar; he didn’t pay it much mind,” the neighbor said.
Colton suffered severe injuries and requires extensive surgery, meaning she’ll need to stay in the hospital for some time.
As of Sunday afternoon, a GoFundMe page created for her recovery had raised over $70,000. The attack occurred on Tuesday, according to the page.
An update on Saturday from the page expressed: “We are thankful for all the donations, prayers, and support for Arien. She has had her first surgery, and the doctor is optimistic. It’s still a long road ahead.”
Ktuu reported that Colton has visible scars on her face and scalp from the incident on Chinook Drive in Kenai, but she was able to communicate after the attack. The bear had left the scene by the time help arrived, and it’s believed to have been a brown bear.
“Wildlife troopers, fish and game officials, along with Kenai police, searched the area but couldn’t locate the bear,” the report stated. “Initially, the Troopers mentioned that capturing the bear would be prioritized, but Rowling noted it would be challenging to determine which bears were involved.”
Officials continue to patrol the area and have advised neighbors to stay alert when leaving their homes.
The nearby Kenai National Wildlife Refuge encompasses around 2 million acres and is home to an estimated 2,183 animal species, according to sources.
Back in May 2024, a combat veteran was attacked by a grizzly bear in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming but survived to share his harrowing story.
