Two Soldiers in Alaska Sustain Injuries After Unexpected Brown Bear Encounter During Training

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A brown bear encounter left two U.S. Army soldiers injured during a training exercise in the rugged terrain surrounding Anchorage, officials reported on Friday.

The confrontation occurred on Thursday while the soldiers conducted a “land navigation training event” in the Arctic Valley area, which is part of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson training grounds.

As of Friday, the soldiers were receiving medical treatment, according to a military official who spoke to the Anchorage Daily News. Attempts to reach base spokespersons for further comment were unsuccessful as of Friday, per the Associated Press.

The condition of the soldiers remains undisclosed, as authorities await family notifications before releasing further information.

In an attempt to defend themselves during the encounter, both soldiers employed pepper spray against the bear. The incident is currently under investigation, and additional details are limited at this time.

“The safety and well-being of our personnel is our highest priority,” Lt. Col. Jo Nederhoed, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army 11th Airborne Division, said in an email to the Anchorage Daily News.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is investigating what it says appears to have been “a defensive attack” by a bear that had recently emerged from a den. The area near where the incident occurred has been closed to recreational activity by base officials, the department said.

Samples were collected by investigators with the aim of positively identifying the species and gender of bear involved, the department said.

The base encompasses 100 square miles (259 square kilometers) within the Municipality of Anchorage, where up to 350 black bears and 75 brown bears roam freely.