Black bear euthanized after biting trail runner in Big Cottonwood Canyon

SALT LAKE CITY — A black bear was euthanized on Wednesday after biting a man in Big Cottonwood Canyon. 

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said a man heard a bear in some nearby brush while running in the Mill D North Fork Trail area of Big Cottonwood Canyon between the hours of 1:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

“The bear approached the man, so he backed away and tried to make himself look big,” Faith Heaton Jolley with DWR said in a statement. “The bear bluff charged the man twice. As the man was backing away, he fell over a log and the bear bit him on his upper arm.”

The man was able to get away from the bear by kicking at the bear, according to Jolley. He was able to drive himself to the hospital where he received medical attention for puncture wounds.

“DWR conservation officers and biologists responded to the scene and worked with tracking hounds to locate the bear,” Jolley said. “The bear was located around 9:45 p.m. Because the bear had shown aggressive behavior and injured a person, it was euthanized, per policy.”

Jolley added that the bear was determined to be an adult female.

What to do if you encounter a black bear

DWR said if you come across a black bear never to back up, lie down or play dead. 

“Stay calm and give the bear a chance to leave,” Jolley said. “Prepare to use your bear spray or another deterrent.”

According to Jolley, black bears are able to run up to 35 miles per hour and can outclimb and outrun a person. So, it’s not a good idea to run away from a bear or attempt to climb a tree to get away.

Jolley said certain behaviors and noises made by a black bear do not mean the bear is being aggressive.

“If a bear stands up, grunts, moans or makes other sounds, it’s not being aggressive,” Jolley said. “These are the ways a bear gets a better look or smell and expresses its interest.”

If all else fails, and the bear decides to attack, Jolley said the best thing to do is fight back.

“Always fight back and never give up,” Jolley said. “People have successfully defended themselves with almost anything. Rocks, sticks, backpacks, water bottles and even their hands and feet.”

According to Wild Aware Utah, people can keep conflicts between bears and humans at a minimum by cleaning up their campsites. 

This story may be updated as more information becomes available.

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