Bear Attack Victim Came Between Mama Bear, Cub, Wildlife Officials Now Say

MONROVIA, CA -- A man who was attacked by a bear in Angeles National Forest above Monrovia was in the wrong place at the wrong time, wildlife officials said Wednesday.

Dan Richman, 54, was hiking on Oct. 10 near the Georgia's Cabin area in Angeles National Forest, around two miles north of Bailey Canyon Wilderness Park when he was attacked. Richman said he came across a bear standing on its hind legs, and as he backed away, he was attacked by a second bear that grabbed him by the wrist and a leg.

Officials originally speculated that Richman might have interrupted a mating session because the description he gave indicated that the bear that was standing on his hind legs was a full grown adult. On Wednesday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said the bear was a yearling.

Wildlife officials said an examination of tracks and other evidence at the scene led them to believe the first bear may have been a "yearling," about 10-12 months old, and the second bear may have been its mother.

"If it was a mother bear and her young, and the hiker came between the two through no fault of his own, it was just bad luck for them both," CDFW environmental scientist Rick Mayfield said. "We are very thankful the individual's injuries were not life-threatening, and fortunately, he will recover."

DNA tests conducted by the CDFW on saliva taken from the hiker's clothing confirmed the bear that attacked him was female. Search crews have not been unable to find the bear, and wildlife officials have halted efforts to trap or euthanize the animal.

The bear was not one of the animals that were tagged and studied by the CDFW, department spokeswoman Jordan Traverso said.

Richman said he was lucky to have escaped with only cuts and scratches.

"I pretty much right away felt its strength, and then it got me down on the ground," he said. "I was on my hands and knees and it had its mouth around my neck."

Richman said he decided to remain quiet and perfectly still, and the bear released him.

"There was a few moments there where I thought, you know, I might not get through this," he said.

Wildlife officials noted that bear attacks are rare in the state, and there has never been a bear-related fatality in California.

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