Two US army soldiers were injured after encountering a brown bear during a training exercise in Anchorage, Alaska, the military confirmed on Friday. The incident occurred on Thursday as the soldiers were participating in a land navigation training event in Arctic Valley, part of the joint base Elmendorf-Richardson's training area.
Both soldiers used pepper spray on the bear during the encounter. Their medical conditions were not released pending notification of relatives, but they were receiving care as of Friday. The military official told the Anchorage Daily News that few other details were available as the incident remains under investigation.
Lt Col Jo Nederhoed, a spokesperson for the US Army's 11th Airborne Division, stated: 'The safety and wellbeing of our personnel is our highest priority.' The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is investigating what it described as a 'defensive attack' by a bear that had recently emerged from a den.
The area near the incident was closed to recreational activity by base officials. Investigators collected samples to positively identify the species and gender of the bear involved. The base encompasses 100 square miles within Anchorage, where up to 350 black bears and 75 brown bears roam freely.
