Explore

Elite Anchorage Trail Runner Klaire Rhodes Mauled by Brown Bear, Sustains Minor Injuries

Elite Anchorage Trail Runner Klaire Rhodes Mauled by Brown Bear, Sustains Minor Injuries

Klaire Rhodes, a prominent Anchorage trail runner and three-time Mount Marathon winner, was mauled by a brown bear last Thursday morning on the Wolverine Bowl trail in Chugach State Park. Rhodes, who races internationally, disclosed the incident in an Instagram post, describing her injuries as 'relatively minor,' including a deep puncture wound on her hip and claw and teeth marks on her body. She attributed her fortunate outcome to the bear spray she was carrying and used during the attack. Rhodes managed to return to the trailhead independently, where firefighters met her. She declined an ambulance, opting for private transport. Wildlife biologists have since interviewed Rhodes and visited the attack site to collect samples and search for the bear. The incident occurred on a trail Rhodes runs weekly, and she expressed that while running in the Chugach feels like home, it is also the home of wildlife, acknowledging the inherent risks.

Alaska Marathon Athlete Fends Off Brown Bear Attack with Bear Spray

Alaska Marathon Athlete Fends Off Brown Bear Attack with Bear Spray

Klaire Rhodes, an Alaska marathon athlete, was attacked by a brown bear while running on the Wolverine Bowl trail in Chugach State Park, outside Anchorage, on August 13th. Rhodes, who has won three consecutive Mount Marathon races, used bear spray to fend off the animal, sustaining what she described as 'relatively minor injuries,' including a deep puncture wound to her left hip and claw and teeth marks. After deploying the bear spray, she was able to self-rescue to the Prospect Heights trailhead and was subsequently taken to a local hospital for treatment. Alaska's fish and game department officials interviewed Rhodes and investigated the site, posting warning signs at the trailhead and reminding visitors to carry deterrents like bear spray. Rhodes shared her experience on social media, calling it 'a nightmare come to life' but expressing gratitude for the outcome and pride in her handling of the situation.

Detroit Free Press

Squirrels are dropping dead outside Detroit's John King bookstore

Squirrels are dropping dead outside Detroit's John King bookstore

They say if the poison is in reach of wildlife in the area, it is also within reach of every pet that walks and animal that hunts, along the Lodge.

Anchorage Police Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting Resulting in Woman's Death During Standoff

Anchorage Police Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting Resulting in Woman's Death During Standoff

Anchorage police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a woman during a crisis negotiation standoff in downtown Anchorage. The incident occurred on East Ninth Avenue, near the Adelaide Single Room Occupancy apartments. Police Chief Sean Case reported that officers responded to a 911 call from Adelaide staff, who stated a woman was threatening to take her own life and had pointed a gun at them. Officers arrived at 1:40 p.m. and engaged in attempts to resolve the situation, including deploying crisis negotiators and SWAT team members. During the standoff, the woman was observed pointing a gun in the direction of officers and a nearby school, which was serving as a polling location and was placed on lockdown for approximately 40 minutes. An officer fired a single shot, striking and killing the woman. This marks the seventh police-involved shooting in Anchorage this year and the 19th since the beginning of 2024.

Incumbent, challenger with the same name and ex-congresswoman face off in Alaska's US Senate primary

Incumbent, challenger with the same name and ex-congresswoman face off in Alaska's US Senate primary

A U.S. Senate contest featuring a former congresswoman and a challenger with the same name as the incumbent headlines Alaska's primary

Black bear attacks, injures man at Colorado apartment complex

Black bear attacks, injures man at Colorado apartment complex

The female black bear swiped at the man after he exited the laundry room of a Colorado apartment complex, wildlife officials said.

Alaska's Brooks Falls Bearcam Becomes Summer Hit with Millions of Views

Alaska's Brooks Falls Bearcam Becomes Summer Hit with Millions of Views

A live bearcam at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, Alaska, has become a significant online hit this summer, attracting 7.3 million views between June 22 and August 4. This represents a 70% increase from the same period last year and more than double the views recorded in 2024. The livestream showcases brown bears congregating around Brooks Falls to catch sockeye salmon as they travel upstream, a crucial food source for the bears. The increased viewership is attributed to the unusually large number of bears gathering at the falls this year, providing viewers with clear and consistent activity. Last year, salmon were more dispersed, leading to fewer bear congregations at the falls. Candice Rusch from Explore, the wildlife network operating the cameras, noted that the livestream has become a popular background activity for many viewers.

Democrats Lead Alaska Governor's Race Primary, Setting Stage for Ranked-Choice General Election

Democrats Lead Alaska Governor's Race Primary, Setting Stage for Ranked-Choice General Election

Early results from Alaska's open gubernatorial primary race indicate that two Democrats are leading a crowded field, which includes 12 Republicans. Former Sitka state Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is currently in the lead with 21.7% of the votes, followed by former Anchorage state Sen. Tom Begich with 20.1%. Following them are several Republicans, with Anchorage businesswoman Bernadette Wilson in third at 10.5% and former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson at 8.4%. With nearly 94% of precincts reporting and over 132,000 ballots counted, the final list of four candidates who will advance to the general election may not be decided for weeks, as thousands more ballots are yet to be counted. Under Alaska's election laws, the top four vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will proceed to the general election.

U.S. Military's 1958 Caribou Introduction on Alaskan Island Leads to Significant Environmental Challenges

U.S. Military's 1958 Caribou Introduction on Alaskan Island Leads to Significant Environmental Challenges

In 1958, the U.S. military introduced 25 caribou calves to Adak Island in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, as an emergency food source for personnel stationed at Naval Air Station Adak during the Cold War. The initial goal was to establish a self-sustaining meat supply in case regular supply routes were cut off. The island proved to be an ideal environment for the caribou, lacking natural predators like wolves or bears, offering a mild maritime climate, and abundant lichens and mosses. For decades, military personnel hunted the caribou, keeping the population stable at around 300 to 600 animals. However, with the closure of Naval Air Station Adak in 1994, hunting drastically decreased. Without human predation or natural predators, the caribou population exploded, reaching approximately 2,750 by 2005, according to surveys by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This rapid growth has since created significant environmental problems for the island.

Drought Conditions in Central Florida Linked to Increased Alligator Attacks

Drought Conditions in Central Florida Linked to Increased Alligator Attacks

Central Florida is experiencing drought conditions due to high temperatures and below-average rainfall, as reported by the National Integrated Drought Information System. These conditions have depleted swamps, rivers, and springs, pushing alligators into smaller, murkier spaces where they blend in more easily. Experts, including Bobby Fokidis from Rollins College, suggest that the environmental changes are driving alligators to areas frequented by humans, increasing the likelihood of interactions. Recent incidents include four alligator attacks this summer, one of which resulted in a fatality. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been actively responding to these events, including capturing and dispatching aggressive alligators.

Bear Euthanized After Roaming Cache Valley for Several Days, Posing Human Safety Risk

Bear Euthanized After Roaming Cache Valley for Several Days, Posing Human Safety Risk

A bear that had been roaming Cache Valley near Nibley, Utah, for several days was euthanized by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). The bear, believed to be the same one spotted in Paradise on Thursday and Logan on Friday, was captured on video running through a field, with a Logan Police officer seen pursuing it. According to Crystal Ross, conservation outreach manager for the DWR's northern region, bears that lose their fear of people and spend multiple days in residential areas can become aggressive and dangerous, posing a risk to human safety. While the DWR was not aware of the bear causing any damage or injuring anyone, the decision to euthanize was made after it was tranquilized. During tranquilization, the two-year-old bear's temperature was dangerously high, around 107 degrees. Despite efforts to cool it with water, the animal was ultimately euthanized. Ross stated that euthanizing wildlife is the most difficult part of their job, as their staff are dedicated to wildlife conservation.

Bear Euthanized in Cache Valley After Roaming Residential Areas for Several Days

Bear Euthanized in Cache Valley After Roaming Residential Areas for Several Days

A bear that had been observed roaming residential areas in Cache Valley, Utah, for several days was euthanized by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). The bear was captured on video near Nibley and was believed to be the same animal sighted in Paradise and Logan earlier in the week. According to Crystal Ross, conservation outreach manager for the DWR's northern region, bears that lose their fear of humans and spend extended periods in residential zones can become aggressive and dangerous, posing a risk to public safety. Although the DWR stated the bear had not caused any damage or injured anyone, its presence in populated areas necessitated intervention. The bear was tranquilized, and during this process, it was determined to be two years old and suffering from a dangerously high body temperature of around 107 degrees. Despite efforts, including pouring water on the animal, the DWR ultimately made the decision to euthanize it. Ross expressed that euthanizing wildlife is a difficult but sometimes ...