Bear Claws Through Tent and Slashes California Camper in the Middle of the Night
The campground closed as authorities try to capture the bear.
— -- A bear forced its way into a California man's tent late Friday night and clawed at the unsuspecting camper, according to the local authorities.
The incident took place around 2 a.m. at the Millard Campground near Altadena, California.
"The male did not know he was injured until he felt something dripping on his face," the Altadena Sheriff's Station said in a statement. "It appears the bear scratched the camper, resulting in a laceration on his forehead. The male was transported to a local hospital where approximately 18 sutures were used to close the wound."
Two other campers saw an approximately 120-pound bear fleeing the area, according to the sheriff's station.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife ordered the Millard Campground closed for the following three days while officials attempt to trap the bear.
The Altadena Sheriff's Station wrote on its Facebook page that the camper allegedly did not have food inside his tent.
Andrew Hughan, a spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, told ABC News today that it is "incredibly rare" for black bears to attack humans.
"In the six years I've been here this is the second one I've seen," Hughan said, adding that as far as he knows this is the first bear attack at Millard Campground.
Hughan said the department set up traps in the area and is currently attempting to capture the bear that attacked the camper. Bears caught in the traps will be tranquilized and the department will check for human remains in their claws.
If they find the bear that attacked the camper, the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife will euthanize the animal, "per department policy and for public safety."
Rosemary Blanchard, an Altadena resident, told local ABC News affiliate KABC-TV that it is rare for bears to be aggressive toward humans.
"Usually they're a little afraid of humans so they don't want to make contact. But this is the first time I've heard of one being that aggressive," Blanchard said.