Man critically injured in Alaska grizzly's attack

ANCHORAGE — A man was in critical condition yesterday after being mauled by a grizzly bear at a Russian River campground.

Dan Bigley, 25, was with two companions Tuesday in Chugach National Forest when the bear charged and attacked him from behind, according to Alaska state troopers. He was flown to a hospital in Anchorage, about 100 miles north of the campground.

Authorities listed Bigley's hometown as Girdwood, Alaska, but Forest Service spokesman Doug Stockdale said he may be a seasonal employee whose permanent home is elsewhere.

Witnesses said several grizzlies were near the Kenai Peninsula campground and that one of the bears — a sow with two cubs — charged several people.

Campers were encouraged to stay in their vehicles until daylight. The Forest Service and state troopers also posted warning signs at the campground, trailheads and an area ferry crossing.

Stockdale said yesterday the Forest Service had closed the trail and banks on the campground side of the Russian River from its confluence with the Kenai to a waterfall two miles upstream from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. through July 25. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game was considering a fishing ban during the same hours, he said.

Stockdale said the Forest Service was trying to determine what brought on the attack, which occurred along part of the Russian River.

Another bear was shot and killed in the vicinity last week, and the carcass ended up in a spot where it couldn't be recovered, Stockdale said. Officers speculated that the smell of the carcass may have attracted other bears.

Information from Seattle Times staff is included in this report.