TIUH BALAK 2, GUNUNG LABUHAN, WAY KANAN, INDONESIA – JUNE 17, 2025 72-year-old woman tragically lost her life after being attacked by a wild black bear while picking coffee on her plantation. The bear caused fatal injuries, and she passed away not long afterward.
The bear
Nearby plantation workers said they had just started hearing her cries for help when a heavy downpour began. As they moved toward the source of the sound, they saw a large black bear feeding on something and quickly turned back to get help. When they returned with more villagers, the bear was gone – but they found the elderly woman already dead.
While black bear attacks are rare due to the animals’ natural tendency to avoid humans, they can still occur – especially when a bear feels cornered or is defending its young. Experts advise staying calm and backing away slowly if you encounter one. If the bear does attack, don’t play dead like you might with a grizzly. Fight back with everything you have – kick, shout, and make noise to try and scare it off.
