May 29th 2024.
Shayne Patrick Burke had set out on a mission to spot some majestic owls in the vast wilderness of Wyoming. However, his plans took an unexpected turn when he came face to face with a group of grizzly bears instead. The incident, which occurred on May 19 in Grand Teton National Park, could have easily ended in tragedy for both humans and animals involved.
Just moments after spotting a bear cub from a distance of 45 to 65 meters, Burke found himself in a life-threatening situation as the mother grizzly charged towards him. In a Facebook post, he shared his account of the terrifying encounter, stating that he tried to stand his ground and use bear spray, but the bear was already too close. Despite his efforts, the bear attacked him, biting and slashing at him multiple times.
Burke, who hails from South Hadley, Massachusetts, had been out in the wilderness with the goal of photographing a great grey owl. As he hurried back towards his wife, he suddenly found himself in a life or death situation. With just seconds to react, he instinctively turned his back and lay down on his stomach, bracing himself for the bear's attack. He interlocked his fingers behind his neck for protection and waited as the bear pounced on him.
In his post, Burke described the brutal attack, with the bear biting and clawing at him multiple times. He screamed in pain as the bear's jaws closed in on his neck, but he never let go of the bear spray canister. In a stroke of luck, the canister exploded in the bear's mouth, causing it to retreat momentarily. Burke believes that this was what saved him from the initial attack.
However, the danger was far from over. Burke was left with deep gashes on his hand and back, and he knew that he needed medical help as soon as possible. With the limited phone coverage in the area, he quickly contacted his wife, who then called for help. In the meantime, Burke administered first aid to himself, using improvised tourniquets made from his backpack and camera straps.
Thanks to his wife's quick thinking and the prompt response from the Teton Interagency Dispatch Center, Burke was airlifted to a hospital and received treatment for his injuries. Despite the severity of the attack, he was released from the hospital the following day and is expected to make a full recovery.
Park rangers and wildlife biologists later investigated the scene and concluded that the bear was likely a female grizzly defending her cub. The National Park Service stated that no further action was necessary, bringing a sense of relief to Burke, who had pleaded for the bear's life to be spared.
Reflecting on the incident, Burke stressed the importance of being prepared for bear encounters in the backcountry. He credits his survival to his knowledge of bear safety and the bear spray he had on hand. The National Park Service also advises hikers to make noise, travel in groups, and carry bear spray in bear country.
In the end, Burke considers himself lucky to have survived such a violent and traumatic experience. He shares his story as a reminder of the dangers of encountering wildlife in their natural habitat and the importance of being prepared and following safety protocols.
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