Bear mauls university teacher taking mountaineering class

A man who teaches classes on the outdoors has been mauled by a bear during a mountaineering class. Forest Wagner, 35, of Fairbanks, was with a group of 12 students on Mount Emmerich near Haines, Alaska, when he was attacked, according to University of Alaska Southeast spokeswoman Kate Bausler. A student hiked down the mountain to get cell reception and call for help. Wagner was taken to Providence Hospital in Anchorage. His was said to be in a stable condition.

Bears are out and also at the same time, with some nice weather happening, there’s a lot of people out as well.

Ken Marsh, for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game

The bear apparently had with cubs with her. Haines is about 90 miles north of Juneau and accessible only by air or sea. Students are scheduled to take a ferry back to Juneau on Tuesday. Wagner is the second man attacked by a bear in Alaska within days. A 77-year-old bear hunter is recovering from injuries suffered when he was mauled by a grizzly in interior Alaska. Troopers on Monday said hunter Glenn Bohn of Wasilla was attacked by the bear near Mile 68 of the Denali Highway just after 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

Alaska bear