In Apopka, Florida, a black bear attack marked a rare incident as a man, Alexander Rojas, encountered two juvenile bears. The harrowing event occurred around 4 a.m. on August 15 and was recorded by a doorbell camera. As Rojas was locking his door, he spotted a loud cub approaching, which startled him. In a moment of panic, he yelled at the bear, but it lunged, biting his arm and clawing his ribs before he narrowly escaped by jumping over a vehicle.
Rojas described facing a tough decision: either retreat into his home, run left toward another bear, or flee into the woods where the mother bear might be. He managed to evade both bears, notably knocking one on the nose before dashing away. Though he sustained injuries on his left arm and abdomen, including possible nerve and tendon damage, Rojas was treated and released from the hospital.
In light of this incident, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded by attempting to trap the bear. Black bear attacks are typically infrequent, with recent data showing a shift in bear encounters. Following a fatal bear attack in May, encounters have increased across the state.
To avoid bear interactions, experts recommend securing garbage, removing wildlife feeders, and avoiding any practices that might attract bears. Should one encounter a bear, remaining calm and slowly backing away while avoiding sudden movements is crucial.
Rojas is now seeking donations to cover his medical bills, and he remains optimistic about recovery while preparing for his next medical appointment. The incident highlights both the rare nature of bear attacks and the need for proper wildlife management in suburban areas.
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