Just heard on Fox News. A couple on a recreational rafting trip in central Alaska were found in their tent killed and partially eaten by a grizzly bear. The story also stated a "unused firearm" was found in the tent. The bear was located and shot by State Troopers. Nothing further was offered.

Lots of unanswered questions, was the woman on her period, was it poor food discipline, why wasn't the firearm used and why did the bear attack them in their tent.

Maybe our Alasken friends have more info.......................JJ

Grizzly bear kills couple camping in Alaska wildlife refuge

June 27, 2005


ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Two people camping along the Hulahula River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge were killed by a grizzly bear, officials said Sunday.

Officials found the bodies and an unused firearm in a tent Saturday at a campsite near the river. They shot and killed the animal.

The couple, whose names were not released, were believed to be in their late 50s or early 60s, police said. They were from Anchorage and had been on a recreational rafting trip down the river, Alaska State Troopers said.

The victims were in their tent when the attack took place, according to Tim DeSpain, spokesman for Alaska State Troopers.

The campsite was clean, with food stored in bear-proof containers.

''The initial scene indicates that it was a predatory act by the bear,'' DeSpain said.

A rafter had seen the animal at the site and notified authorities.

Officials said they were not sure when the couple were killed.

AP

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-grizzly27.html

====================

Grizzly kills 2 campers in Alaskan wildlife refuge
Last Updated Mon, 27 Jun 2005 11:27:52 EDT
CBC News

Officials planned to do an autopsy Monday on a grizzly bear that was hunted down after killing two campers in Alaska.

The dead couple, who hailed from Anchorage, were found dead over the weekend in their tent pitched beside the Hulahula River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Officials have not released the names of the victims, but they are believed to be in their late 50s or early 60s. It was not clear exactly when they died.

The couple had been part of a river rafting trip. They had been staying alone at their campsite, but a fellow rafter spotted the bear and called authorities.

Food at the campsite had been stored in bear-proof containers and officials found a weapon that had not been fired.

"The initial scene indicates that it was a predatory act by the bear," said Tim DeSpain, a spokesman for Alaska State Troopers.

DeSpain also said such attacks were extremely rare, even in remote areas.

Injuries to the bodies suggested a bear attack and there were no hints of foul play, another official said.

The refuge lies on the northwest border of Yukon Territory. The closest settlement to the campsite is Kaktovik, a 300-member community on Barter Island in the Beaufort Sea, about 20 kilometres up river.

http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/world/national/2005/06/27/grizzly050625.html

======================

JJ: Bears sometimes treat people like any other prey species. When the law enforcement officer says "the bear exhibited preditory behavoir," what he means is that the bear had eaten the people. And the reason they were able to shoot the bear is because he was still hanging around defending his cache...being attacked in your tent is one of the worst possible situations because the tent traps you..with or without a gun. These types of attacks always leaves all of us wondering what actually happened, and no one does know what happened except the victims. It is a tough business that happens only often enough to scare all of us that wonder around outside in Alaska.

The attack took place in extreme NE Alaska in a very remote area.

Living with Wildlife in Bear Country

"Store any toiletries safely. Store them with your food - the smell of toiletries may attract bears. Abstain from sexual activity. Practice good personal hygiene. "

I wonder if any of the above were a factor? From what I've read it seems they were very cautious with their food, etc.

Washougal Chris

WashougalChris: From what I read today is that both people (a married couple) were long time Alaskans with lots of excperience..and that they were both very careful and knew what they were doing...but, the bear was hunting them and he attacked and killed them when they were most vulnerable...the report said they were killed in their sleeping bags and the bear appearantly was still protecting his kill when he was shot by authorities.