California Woman Dies in First Documented Fatal Black Bear Attack 

A tragic incident in a mountain community in California has left residents stunned after a woman was found dead in what authorities are calling the first documented fatal black bear attack on a human in the state.

The victim, identified as Patrice Miller, 71, was discovered on Nov. 8 by Sierra County sheriff's deputies who were conducting a welfare check. Her remains were found in Downieville, a small town in the Sierra Nevada, two hours northeast of the state capital, Sacramento.

Details of the Attack

Sheriff Mike Fisher revealed that the bear had been feeding on the remains, indicating that the attack had likely occurred several days prior. This shocking revelation has sent ripples of fear and concern through the local community.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed that this incident marks the first record of a deadly black bear attack on a human in the state. Steve Gonzalez, a department spokesperson, emphasized the rarity of such an event, stating, "That doesn’t happen in California. Normally a bear is going to stay away from you, a bear that hasn’t been normalized to human behavior."

Community Response and Bear Activity

Reports indicate that concerned citizens had previously raised alarms about a bear repeatedly returning to the victim's house. Subsequently, a state depredation permit was issued, resulting in the trapping and euthanization of a bear on the property. However, the discovery of Miller's autopsy results, which confirmed the bear mauling as the cause of death, has left the community grappling with the shocking reality of the situation.

In the aftermath of the attack, the Sheriff reported a significant decrease in bear activity following the euthanization of a bear that attempted to break into a school gym. This has brought to light the growing problem of bears breaking into homes or raiding trash cans in search of food in various parts of California.

From the Sierra Nevada down to the foothill suburbs of Los Angeles, incidents of bears encroaching into human habitats have become increasingly common. The escalating encounters between bears and human settlements have raised concerns and prompted authorities to address the issue.