ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Two U.S. Military troopers have been injured after encountering a brown bear in a mountainous coaching space in Anchorage, the navy mentioned Friday.
The incident occurred Thursday because the troopers have been taking part in a “land navigation coaching occasion” in Arctic Valley, a part of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s coaching space.
The troopers have been receiving medical care as of Friday, a navy official informed the Anchorage Day by day Information. Messages despatched to base spokespersons weren’t instantly returned to The Related Press Friday.
The troopers’ circumstances weren’t launched pending notification of family members.
Each troopers used pepper spray on the bear, the official mentioned. Few different particulars have been obtainable concerning the incident as a result of it was nonetheless underneath investigation.
“The protection and well-being of our personnel is our highest precedence,” Lt. Col. Jo Nederhoed, a spokesperson for the U.S. Military eleventh Airborne Division, mentioned in an e mail to the Anchorage Day by day Information.
“The incident is underneath investigation, and we’re coordinating with native wildlife authorities to make sure the security of all personnel within the space,” she mentioned.
The bottom encompasses 100 sq. miles (259 sq. kilometers) throughout the Municipality of Anchorage, the place as much as 350 black bears and 75 brown bears roam freely.
