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dZ · August 12, 1999, 09:31 AM

AUGUST 10, 01:27 EDT

Boy Attacked by Bear at Scout Camp

SHELL LAKE, Wis. (AP) — A black bear attacked a 14-year-old boy at a Boy Scout camp, dragging him into the woods and injuring him before
his father drove the animal off by pelting him with rocks and wood.

Matthew Murphy, 14, had bite wounds to his head and shoulder area and was in serious condition at a hospital after Monday's attack. He is
expected to make a full recovery, the family said.

A search was on for the bear, which will be destroyed if found.

The boy was attacked at 6:30 a.m. Monday at the Tomahawk Scout Reservation on Long Lake in northwestern Wisconsin.

The bear dragged both boy and tent into the woods. The boy's father, Anthony Murphy, threw a rock at the bear, which ran off but then came
after him.

The father then threw a block of wood at the bear, and it climbed part up a tree, allowing the the boy to be rescued from the tent.

Candy wrappers were found in the tent, but officials did not know if that was related to the attack.

Ken Jonas, the wildlife biologist investigating the attack, said the incident was peculiar: ``We normally don't get bears that attack people, and
certainly not in this manner.''

Wildlife wardens on Monday patrolled the camp to protect the 800 campers, many from Minnesota and Wisconsin. Camp fires were also lit for
the night.

The camp has gotten about 40 calls from concerned parents, but no requests to pull children from the camp, said Jeff Sulzbach, director for
Tomahawk Scout Reservation.

Bear populations have increased to about 14,000 in Wisconsin, from the 5,850 estimated to be in the state in 1985.

August 12, 1999, 09:31 AM	#5
dZ Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 1999 Location: Exiled, Fetid Swamp, DC Posts: 7,548	AUGUST 10, 01:27 EDT Boy Attacked by Bear at Scout Camp SHELL LAKE, Wis. (AP) — A black bear attacked a 14-year-old boy at a Boy Scout camp, dragging him into the woods and injuring him before his father drove the animal off by pelting him with rocks and wood. Matthew Murphy, 14, had bite wounds to his head and shoulder area and was in serious condition at a hospital after Monday's attack. He is expected to make a full recovery, the family said. A search was on for the bear, which will be destroyed if found. The boy was attacked at 6:30 a.m. Monday at the Tomahawk Scout Reservation on Long Lake in northwestern Wisconsin. The bear dragged both boy and tent into the woods. The boy's father, Anthony Murphy, threw a rock at the bear, which ran off but then came after him. The father then threw a block of wood at the bear, and it climbed part up a tree, allowing the the boy to be rescued from the tent. Candy wrappers were found in the tent, but officials did not know if that was related to the attack. Ken Jonas, the wildlife biologist investigating the attack, said the incident was peculiar: ``We normally don't get bears that attack people, and certainly not in this manner.'' Wildlife wardens on Monday patrolled the camp to protect the 800 campers, many from Minnesota and Wisconsin. Camp fires were also lit for the night. The camp has gotten about 40 calls from concerned parents, but no requests to pull children from the camp, said Jeff Sulzbach, director for Tomahawk Scout Reservation. Bear populations have increased to about 14,000 in Wisconsin, from the 5,850 estimated to be in the state in 1985.