New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (505) 476-8000
dan.williams@state.nm.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 7, 2010:

BEAR ATTACKS SCOUT AT PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH

RATON -- A Philmont Scout Ranch employee killed a bear early Wednesday after it jumped on a tent and scratched and bit a camper, the Department of Game and Fish reported Wednesday.

Injuries to the 14-year-old scout include a bite to the hand and a deep scratch to the head. The scout was treated at Philmont and then transferred to Santa Fe for additional treatment.

The bear, a 2- to 3-year-old, 150-pound male, was killed within two miles of a previous attack on a camper at Philmont, the Department said. There was no apparent cause for the attack, and officials are hopeful the dead bear is the same one that was involved in a previous incident.

Game and Fish wants to remind campers that food, pets, the clothing you cooked in, and toiletries all can attract the attention of bears and lead to a a bear encounter or, in extreme cases, an attack.

This is the second bear killed at Philmont this summer. An earlier bear was killed after it attacked and killed a goat.

The head of the dead bear will be transferred to Veterinary Diagnostic Services to be tested for rabies.

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