SOUTH HADLEY, Massachusetts – A wildlife photographer, Shayne Patrick Burke, had a harrowing encounter with a grizzly bear in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. What started as a search for owls turned into a life-threatening situation when Burke found himself face-to-face with a mother grizzly bear charging towards him.
Despite his efforts to stand his ground, the bear closed the gap too quickly for him to deploy his bear spray. In a Facebook post recounting the May 19 incident, Burke described the intense attack that ensued, with the bear inflicting multiple bites and slashes on him. The situation escalated to a point where Burke believed the bear was going in for a fatal neck bite.
In a display of resilience and quick thinking, Burke managed to trigger the bear spray canister, which exploded in the bear’s mouth, ultimately deterring the attack. The National Park Service confirmed the attack on an unnamed 35-year-old man from Massachusetts, highlighting his use of bear spray and noise as per their safety guidelines.
Following the attack, Burke was able to administer first aid on himself while communicating with his wife, Chloe, who played a crucial role in summoning help and guiding him through the treatment process. Park rangers located Burke and provided emergency medical care, eventually airlifting him to a hospital where he underwent surgery to address his wounds.
Despite the severity of the incident, Burke’s advanced first aid training and preparedness with bear spray were credited with saving his life. The National Park Service emphasized the importance of being alert and equipped with bear spray while exploring backcountry areas, issuing safety tips for encountering wildlife.
In a later update, Burke expressed gratitude for the timely assistance he received and shared a message urging visitors to respect wildlife and adhere to safety protocols in bear country. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters and the significance of readiness in mitigating such risks.