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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 09, 2015
Contact:
Some trails at Douthat State Park closed following bear attack
Additional contact:
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Lee Walker
804-912-6121
MILLBORO, VIRGINIA — Several miles of trails on the west side of Douthat State Park are closed after a bear attacked a hiker yesterday on a backcountry trail.
A bear believed to be responsible for the attack has been humanely killed, but some trails remain closed during the investigation.
There is no danger to the public, and all park guests have been notified of the incident.
The hiker was treated at LewisGale Hospital Alleghany for non-life-threatening injuries. As a precaution, the hiker received tetanus and rabies shots before being discharged last night. State park staff was with the hiker at the hospital.
The incident occurred around 6 p.m. near the Tuscarora Overlook. A group of hikers spotted a bear on the trail and ran away. The hiker became separated from the group and was attacked by the adult female bear.
Within six hours of the attack, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation law enforcement officers, along with DGIF's district wildlife biologist, had tracked the bear to a location near the site of the incident. Following a lengthy assessment of the situation, the bear was humanely killed around 4 a.m. as a public-safety measure.
Samples of the bear remains were collected for biological testing. Results will take several days.
Trails on the west side of Douthat State Park Road (State Route 629) are closed until further notice while the investigation continues.
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