- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I got these pics a while back, but I just got the story in an email this morning. This must be one of the most resourceful examples of bear defence yet.
> September 10/06 (Anchorage Daily News-AP) Anchorage area electrician
> Maurice
> Plante got more than he bargained for when during a routine service call
> on
> the outskirts of Anchorage he was surprised by a large male grizzly that
> came towards him out of the forest.
>
> Plante, expecting the worst attempted to divert the direction of the
> bears
> travel by waving his arms and yelling obscenities however the bear
> continued
> towards his position and increased its speed. Feeling threatened with
> no
> way to defend himself Plante elected to utilize a live hydro feed to
> shock
> the oncoming bear. Plante explained "I was in fear for my life and the
> live
> wire was my only defense."
>
> When the bear was close enough Plante extended the live wire out and the
> bear took it like a trout rising to a fly. The subsequent fireworks
> were
> both awesome and frightening according to Plante as the bear writhed
> about
> in its death throes.
>
> It took about 20 seconds for the bear to stop moving. Planted retreated
> to
> his van where he promptly called authorities for assistance. "I crapped
> my
> pants" he later indicated to express the level of fear he experienced.
>
> The married father of 3 is on paid leave while the incident is
> investigated.
> Local Conservation officials described the event as unique and indicated
> that Plante would not be charged under any wildlife protection laws.
>
> The bear will be mounted by a local taxidermist for display in the
> Alaska Power downtown office.> >
> September 10/06 (Anchorage Daily News-AP) Anchorage area electrician
> Maurice
> Plante got more than he bargained for when during a routine service call
> on
> the outskirts of Anchorage he was surprised by a large male grizzly that
> came towards him out of the forest.
>
> Plante, expecting the worst attempted to divert the direction of the
> bears
> travel by waving his arms and yelling obscenities however the bear
> continued
> towards his position and increased its speed. Feeling threatened with
> no
> way to defend himself Plante elected to utilize a live hydro feed to
> shock
> the oncoming bear. Plante explained "I was in fear for my life and the
> live
> wire was my only defense."
>
> When the bear was close enough Plante extended the live wire out and the
> bear took it like a trout rising to a fly. The subsequent fireworks
> were
> both awesome and frightening according to Plante as the bear writhed
> about
> in its death throes.
>
> It took about 20 seconds for the bear to stop moving. Planted retreated
> to
> his van where he promptly called authorities for assistance. "I crapped
> my
> pants" he later indicated to express the level of fear he experienced.
>
> The married father of 3 is on paid leave while the incident is
> investigated.
> Local Conservation officials described the event as unique and indicated
> that Plante would not be charged under any wildlife protection laws.
>
> The bear will be mounted by a local taxidermist for display in the
> Alaska Power downtown office.> >
