Jess Flaherty

A geologist, Cynthia Dusel-Bacon, survived a prolonged black bear attack in remote Alaska in 1977 that resulted in the loss of both her arms. The bear stalked and ambushed her while she was collecting rock samples, dragging and mauling her for nearly an hour before help arrived. The incident prompted the US Geological Survey to begin offering firearms training for fieldwork staff. Cynthia later adapted to life with prosthetic arms, continued hiking, and now volunteers as a geologist emerita. Experts note that black bear attacks on humans remain rare and are not solely explained by food stress.