BARRON COUNTY, Wisconsin — A woman is in critical condition at Regions Hospital in St. Paul after a rare black bear attack outside her home in rural Barron County, Wisconsin. 

The attack happened Saturday afternoon in the small town of Comstock, a tight-knit community surrounded by farmland and woods. Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) say Karen Frye, 69, was attacked and hospital officials say she is in critical condition but is stable. Officials say there was a cub found nearby but neither the cub or sow have been caught. They have placed out traps and tracking teams remain in place. If located, the DNR says the mother will likely be euthanized.

According to the DNR, the preliminary investigation, including speaking with family, suggests the bear exhibited a sustained series of aggressive behaviors towards the victim. 

“We value human safety over all else,” said Andrew Tri, the bear research project leader for the Minnesota DNR. “If a bear makes that kind of contact — it’s euthanized.”

Tri said the cubs of the mothers euthanized in Minnesota are usually brought to a rehab in Garrison if they’re young. The Wisconsin DNR says the cub in this situation is old enough that it could be released into the wild on its own. 

The DNR says no one has ever died in Wisconsin’s recent history from a black bear attack. Since 1983, only 14 people have been hospitalized by black bears in Minnesota. “That’s about three people per decade,” Tri said. “It’s a pretty rare thing.”

Frye’s neighbors say they have seen an uptick in bear activity this summer. They are saddened to hear about the attack. 

“She’s pretty outdoorsy—walks a lot. She’s lived here a long time,” said Brian Summerfeld, who lives nearby. 

At Comstock Creamery, where news of the attack has spread quickly, employees say it’s not unusual to spot a bear on a summer day.

“In the summer, I’d say at least once a week you’d see one,” said John Wood, who has lived in Comstock for a decade. “They’re usually afraid of people. You kind of get used to it after a while… you’re like, oh—there’s a bear.”

Wildlife experts stress that attacks like this are extremely rare and often linked to protective behavior from a sow with cubs.

Officials continue to monitor the area and urge residents to report any bear sightings. The Wisconsin DNR recommends removing attractants like bird feeders, garbage, and pet food to avoid encounters.

Best Practices In Bear Country from the DNR

Follow these tips to stay safe should you encounter a bear.

• Minimize food attractants around your residence or camps.
  • Bird feeders should be only used in the wintertime or brought in at night and made inaccessible to bears. Deter bears by hanging feeders 10 feet from the ground and five feet out from any surface. If a bear does find the feeder, remove it immediately.
  • Keep garbage cans secured, clean and inside sheds if possible. Do not leave loose garbage around.
  • Do not leave pet food outside.
  • Keep grills clean and secure.
• If you encounter a bear in your yard or around your home:
  • Place yourself in a secure area so the bear has a clear escape path. Make a lot of noise by yelling, honking a car horn or banging pots and pans.
  • Consider installing motion-activated water sprinklers, lights or alarms.
• If you encounter a bear while hiking, hunting or camping:
  • Never approach a bear.
  • Do not run.
  • Do not lie down or play dead.
  • Talk to the bear or start shouting if it doesn’t leave.
  • Raise your arms above your head and wave them to appear larger than you are.
  • Slowly back away and don’t turn your back on the bear.
  • Always leave an escape route for the bear.
  • Fight back if attacked.