COMSTOCK, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is investigating a black bear attack that occurred Saturday in Barron County, where a 69-year-old woman sustained severe injuries.

The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment, and her condition was unknown Sunday afternoon, according to a news release from the DNR. The search for the bear is ongoing.

The victim reported the attack around 2 p.m. Officers from Barron County and the city of Cumberland initially responded.

Upon arrival, officers began looking for the bear and located a cub in a tree, indicating the incident involved a sow and cub, according to the DNR. The cause of the attack is unknown.

The search efforts were joined by DNR wardens and U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services staff, who unsuccessfully attempted to track the bear with the aid of a trained dog.

Several bear traps have been set at the scene. According to the DNR, the goal is to euthanize the bear and assess its condition.

The DNR said black bears are generally secretive and tend to avoid humans, but may become aggressive if cubs are present and they feel threatened.

There are an estimated 24,000 bears in Wisconsin, primarily occupying the northern two-thirds of the state.

USDA Wildlife Services responds to 500-600 nuisance bear complaints annually, the DNR said. Between 70-80% of complaints are resolved by recommending that the complainant remove a bear attractant, such as food.

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