Surviving the Unthinkable: Veteran's Terrifying Encounter with a Grizzly Bear

Shayne Patrick Burke was out searching for owls in the wilderness of Wyoming, but instead, he came across grizzly bears. Just as he spotted a bear cub not too far away, he suddenly saw a mother grizzly bear running towards him.

He wrote in a Facebook post about the incident on May 19 in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming that he stood his ground, shouted, and tried to use bear spray. However, the bear closed the gap before he could deploy the spray. CNN has attempted to contact Burke, whose location is listed as South Hadley, Massachusetts on social media, but has not received a response.

The encounter near Signal Mountain matched the details provided by the National Park Service about an attack on an unnamed man. This situation could have easily resulted in a tragic outcome, with either a human or animal death, or possibly both.

Burke was eager to capture a photo of a Great Grey Owl and was hurrying back through the wilderness to reunite with his wife.

In a split second decision, Burke quickly turned away as the bear lunged towards him. He dropped to the ground on his stomach and prepared himself for the unexpected "ride", intertwining his hands behind his neck for safety, as described in the post.

I was attacked by a bear. The first bite and slash was on my back and right shoulder, which made me scream in pain. She then turned and stepped on my back, biting one of my legs and repeatedly slamming me on the ground.

The bear bit each of my legs about three times, causing me to scream once more. The final bite caught the bear's attention to my head.

Burke wrote in a post that he believed the bear went in for a kill bite on his neck. Despite the attack, he managed to keep his hands interlocked and his arms protecting his carotid arteries. He made sure to never let go of the bear spray can.

He mentioned that as the bear bit his hands and the back of his neck, it also bit the bear spray can causing it to explode in her mouth. This unexpected event saved him from the initial attack, according to Burke.

In a social media post, he described it as the most violent experience he had ever gone through. Despite having encountered being shot at, mortared, and exposed to IED explosions, he is a disabled Veteran in the Army reserve.

He expressed the possibility of facing death.

The National Park Service confirmed that a 35-year-old man from Massachusetts was attacked on May 19 while hiking through a forested area with limited visibility. The visitor was following bear safety guidelines by carrying bear spray and making noise intentionally.

The account provided by the NPS aligns with the man's own recollection of the incident. When the bear made contact with him, he quickly fell to the ground on his stomach, attempting to play dead. He held onto the bear spray canister with his fingers interlaced behind his neck, as described in an email from the National Park Service.

The bears left the scene because the cannister burst, as reported by NPS.

After the incident, Burke made his way to a spot where he could get cell service, as mentioned by NPS and in his own post. When he couldn't reach his wife by phone, he sent her a text saying he had been attacked.

When she called back, he told her about the encounter as he administered first aid on himself.

Photos included with Burke’s post on social media show deep gashes in his hand and back.

He mentioned in his account that during his time in the army, he had received advanced first aid training. His wife guided him on how to treat his wounds using whatever materials they had available. He mentioned, "I cut my back pack straps, camera straps, and used my Fanny pack straps" to create makeshift tourniquets to stop the bleeding.

In a later post on Facebook, Burke highlighted the important role his wife, Chloe, played in the situation. She helped him call for help, kept him calm over the phone, and reminded him to focus on treating his wounds and blowing a rescue whistle. Her Facebook profile indicates that she is an EMT.

At 4:02 p.m., Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received notification of the incident, NPS said.

With multiple puncture wounds in both legs, Burke knew his situation was perilous.

“In this moment, I accepted on that small hill top that I very well could die,” he wrote. “I recorded a short video telling my people that I loved them.”

A photo provided by the National Park Service shows the airlift operation.

A photo provided by the National Park Service shows the airlift operation.

NPS

‘Please don’t kill the bear’

Fortunately, help arrived in time.

Park rangers found Burke and gave him emergency medical help. He was flown to a nearby ambulance and taken to St. John’s Hospital, as stated by NPS. Burke shared that he had surgery to clean and staple his wounds in a post.

The park service mentioned that the man who was injured left the hospital on May 20 and is predicted to fully recover.

Park rangers and wildlife biologists checked out the area the day after the incident.

The National Park Service mentioned that after talking to the injured visitor and looking at the evidence, it seemed that a female grizzly bear with an older cub was involved in the mauling. The exact bears responsible were not yet known.

NPS confirmed that the bear's actions were likely defensive in nature, and they do not believe any additional intervention is necessary at this time.

Burke expressed relief in a social media post, emphasizing his plea to park rangers not to harm the bear as she was simply protecting her cub.

“Wrong place wrong time,” he said.

Bear-country preparation

But Burke was ready.

In his post, he shared, "The key factor that helped me survive the attack was knowing how to handle a bear encounter and having bear spray on hand."

Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, United States is home to a variety of wildlife. One of the iconic animals found in the park is the Grizzly bear.

Will Powers/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

Related article

Surviving a bear attack or even better, preventing one altogether

"I'm not even sure if I managed to spray any of it at the bear, but having bear spray on me and ready to protect myself completely is the only reason I am able to share my story now."

The National Park Service has some helpful tips for those exploring the backcountry:

Always stay alert and pay attention to your surroundings. Make sure to make noise, especially in areas where visibility is limited or sound is muffled, like near streams or in windy conditions. It's a good idea to carry bear spray, know how to use it, and have it easily accessible. When hiking, try to go in groups of three or more people. And remember, if you come across a bear, don't run. Instead, back away slowly.

Editor's P/S:

The article recounts the harrowing experience of Shayne Patrick Burke, a disabled Army veteran, who encountered a grizzly bear while searching for owls in Grand Teton National Park. Despite following bear safety guidelines and carrying bear spray, Burke was attacked by a mother grizzly protecting her cub. His quick thinking and self-defense techniques, including playing dead and protecting his vital areas, saved his life. The incident highlights the importance of preparedness and knowledge when venturing into bear country.

The article also emphasizes the crucial role of Burke's wife, Chloe, who remained calm and provided guidance over the phone, helping him administer first aid and stay focused. Her actions demonstrate the invaluable support and resilience that loved ones can offer in such traumatic situations. Ultimately, Burke's survival is a testament not only to his own bravery but also to the combined efforts of park rangers, medical professionals, and his wife's unwavering support.