Watch CBS News

Woman Mauled By Black Bear At Wildlife Sanctuary

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

DADE CITY, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) —  A 400-pound black bear mauled a woman's arm while at a Tampa Bay area wildlife sanctuary, according to authorities.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office reports that the bear — named Abner — was in his cage Friday afternoon when the woman reached in to pet him. Deputies and rescue workers responded to the Wildlife Haven Animal Sanctuary in Dade City, and the woman was flown to a Tampa hospital with severe injuries to her right arm.

The sheriff's office confirmed that the victim was not the owner of the licensed nonprofit organization, but it wasn't immediately clear whether the woman was a worker or a guest of the animal sanctuary.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.