Fatal bear attacks in North America have occurred in a variety of settings. There have been several in the bears' wilderness habitats involving hikers, hunters, and campers. Brown bear incidents have occurred in their native range spanning Alaska, Northern and Western Canada, and portions of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. The locations of black bear wilderness fatal attacks reflect their wider range: all Canadian Provinces except the Atlantic Provinces and several major mountainous areas in the United States.
Bears held captive by animal trainers, in zoos, carnivals, or kept as pets have been responsible for several attacks. There have also been unusual cases in which a person entered a bear's cage and was then mauled.
Bear attacks are extremely rare. Attacks are for predatory, territorial, or protective reasons. Most wilderness attacks have occurred when there was only one to two persons in the vicinity.
In this list, three species of bear are recognized: the brown bear (Ursus arctos, commonly known as the grizzly bear), the American black bear (Ursus americanus), and the polar bear (Ursus maritimus).
2010s
Black bear
Brown bear
2000s
Black bear
Brown bear
1990s
Black bear
Brown bear
Polar bear
1980s
Black bear
Brown bear
Polar bear
1970s
Black bear
Brown bear
Polar bear
1960s
Black bear
Brown bear
Polar bear
1950s
Black bear
Brown bear
1940s
Black bear
Brown bear
1930s
Black bear
Brown bear
1920s
Brown bear
1910s
Brown bear
1900s
Black bear
1890s
Brown bear
1880s
Black bear
Brown bear
Unknown
1870s
Brown bear
1860s
Brown bear
1850s
Brown bear
1830s
Brown bear
Maps
See also
- Bear attacks
- Bear danger
- Stephen Herrero
Species:
- List of fatal cougar attacks in North America
- List of wolf attacks in North America
- Fatal dog attacks in the United States