Bear mauling prompts large rescue response, hiker in stable condition
On Tuesday at approximately 3 p.m., officials responded to 911 calls from a hiker "reporting they were mauled by a bear and needed help as soon as possible," the fire department said in a statement. The attack occurred about two miles up the Dome Trail in Anchorage, the local police department confirmed to ABC News.
The female hiker -- who has not been identified by officials -- reported that she "could not get out" on her own "due to injuries sustained in the mauling," the fire department said.- PHOTO: A Grizzly bear in Anchorage, Alaska.
The woman provided directions to her location on the trail and remained on the phone with officials while they scanned the area to locate her, according to police.
Firefighters and paramedics responded to the scene, with drones deployed to help find the hiker, according to officials. Once she was located, she was rescued with a helicopter and transported to a local hospital with "what we believe to be non-life-threatening injuries," police said.
MORE: 89-year-old man and dog killed in bear attacks in Florida: Officials
Police told ABC News the hiker is in stable condition as of Wednesday and that, at this time, they "will not be sharing her name with the public."
The brown bear ran off after the incident, the fire department noted in its statement. As of Tuesday night, Alaska Fish & Game was still trying to locate the bear.
Officials said hikers in Anchorage are "encouraged to file trip plans with friends or family prior to trekking off into the great outdoors" and recommend people leave a copy of their trip plans underneath their vehicle's windshield.
Anchorage Fire Department - PHOTO: A hiker was rescued after reportedly getting attacked by a brown bear along a trail in Alaska, according to the Anchorage Fire Department.
"Information regarding your planned route can be invaluable as we try to locate you in case of an emergency," the fire department said.
With both black and brown bears living within the municipality of Anchorage, the local parks and recreation department provides tips to keep in mind while recreating in any park or trail in the area, including to remain in groups, make noise, carry bear spray, leash all dogs and to never run from a bear.
"Stop, group up, talk to the bear and let it know you are human," Anchorage Parks and Recreation said on its website.
According to the National Park Service, the majority of bear attacks occur not because the animal is hunting a human, but when it feels threatened or is protecting its young. The only exception is if the bear is "suffering from very severe starvation," the NPS said on its website.
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