A disabled veteran Army reservist, Shayne Patrick Burke, recently survived a harrowing grizzly bear attack in Grand Teton National Park by playing dead and holding onto his can of bear spray. He described the attack as the most violent experience he has ever had, even compared to being shot at and experiencing explosions. Burke was in the woods of Signal Mountain in Wyoming, trying to photograph a Great Grey Owl with his wife waiting in the parking lot when he encountered a bear cub, followed by the charging mama grizzly. Despite standing his ground and attempting to deploy the bear spray, the bear closed in on him quickly.
Acting on instinct and with little time to think, Burke decided to lie on the ground on his stomach and interlocked his hands behind his neck to protect his vital areas from the attacking bear. The grizzly bit him on the shoulder, legs, buttocks, slammed him to the ground, stood on his back, and went for a “kill bite” on his neck. However, Burke was able to save his life by holding onto the bear spray can, which exploded in the bear’s mouth during the attack. He was then able to escape by running in the opposite direction up a hill and texting his wife that he had been attacked as he applied improvised tourniquets to his legs.
While awaiting help, Burke recorded a video saying goodbye to his loved ones in case the worst should happen. However, he was eventually rescued by a helicopter and ambulance and taken to a hospital. Burke credits his survival during the attack to his knowledge of what to do in a bear encounter and being prepared with bear spray. He expressed gratitude to the Jenny Lake Rangers who saved his life and showed no ill will toward the bear, recognizing that it was merely defending its cub.
Despite the traumatic experience, Burke holds no resentment toward the bear and believes it was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He urged park officials not to capture or kill the bear, stating that he loves and respects wildlife. Burke is expected to make a full recovery from the attack and emphasized the importance of being prepared and informed in the event of a bear encounter. His story serves as a reminder of the dangers that can be faced in the wilderness and the importance of being equipped with proper safety measures and knowledge.
