Kaska woman credits hair clip for surviving grizzly bear attack in Yukon | APTN News

A Kaska woman is sharing a hair-raising tale of survival after being attacked by a grizzly bear near the town of Haines Junction, Yukon.
Vanessa Chaput was wearing a plastic hair clip that broke in the bear’s mouth. She believes it stunned the bear who let her go.
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[@PossumLover1111]

Such a level-headed woman. Great respect for her and her attitude about the bears. So glad she survived the attack.

[@auntyshakira747]

So glad this young lady survived. She has a great attitude ❤

[@NorthernYukonLiving]

Thank you! I appreciate your kind words

[@heather-cz8yk]

Notice she emphasized she did not run after injury, had to walk to safety. Thank you kind woman for telling your story. Glad you are ok and your dog too!!

[@sec9500]

She talks so calmly about the bear having her head in its mouth. She's tough and glad she survived it.

[@HikeColorado]

So many others would have lost it completely and panicked uncontrollably but she didn’t and that saved her life thank God👍

[@momsterzz]

🙋‍♀️

[@alvonfinster2915]

Glad she made it. She is correct - it could happen to anyone in the Yukon. I know, I live here. She is correct in saying it was in the wrong place at wrong time.

[@redfields5070]

Don't be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Don't walk there in the first place. There are bears about.

[@user-ktm890rider]

@@redfields5070stay in San Francisco

[@Poppageno]

Wrong place, wrong time for the bears, they're dead. She should have turned around when she first saw them.

[@dshepherd107]

@@redfields5070That’s ridiculous. Nobody would ever leave their homes. You just need to be educated about grizzly & black bear behavior, how to deal with encounters, and be prepared. Anytime you go out in Nature, there are risks. Be educated. Be observant. Respect the wildlife, & always be prepared for an emergency. This lady had a shepherd that saved her life, along with that hair clip.

[@dshepherd107]

@@PoppagenoClearly you werent listening. She literally ran into within a few feet of them.

[@timberwolfdtproductions3890]

Impressive young woman. Intelligent, articulate, and well composed. Sue knew exactly what to do and didn’t panic. Was it necessary to destroy all three bears?

[@countessk]

I assume the reasoning was that if the bears were emboldened by the first attack and attacked someone else, there would have been outcry that the bears hadn't been taken out after the first attack.

[@BitSmythe]

YES.

[@patrickroach7289]

Yes

[@ahill4642]

I wondered that, too. That maybe the two who got chased away would be okay to let live.

[@Dieiamgi]

Yes

[@samTollefson]

What a graceful and courageous young woman! We definitely need more people around with her attitude.

[@silentvoiceinthedark5665]

I am developing a bear proof suit that will be studded with hair clips from head to toe.

[@kenneth9874]

A Russian beat you to it long ago but with nails...

[@flightographist]

@@kenneth9874You're referring to a wildman suit in the de Menil family collection which was created in Germany or Switzerland, not Russia. The internet memesters tagged it as a Russian bear suit and you bought it without verification...too bad. The real bear suit man is Troy Hurtubise and the Ursus suits he developed.

[@kenneth9874]

@@flightographist sure....

[@flightographist]

@@kenneth9874 You get a second chance to verify, begore you publicly opine, your choice- just like the first time...or just go have a pumpkin spice latte.

[@kenneth9874]

@@flightographist lattes are more your thing, the point was that it had been done before, by the way your mom said for you to put the laundry in the dryer since you're already in the basement.

[@qbconnect2883]

Her dad raised a really solid young woman. Glad she wasn't hurt too bad. And I hope she's careful in the future about being out alone unprotected ❤

[@NMV-ej4zd]

You can tell she is indigenous- she has respect for nature and the bears whose territory she was in, and her focus and calmness saved her.

[@rajr1032]

Glad she escaped the bears and survived.

[@jayfeatherrwc]

@@moretrash4you The person who wrote the comment never said the bears survived-

[@catherinebreitfeller669]

and ???????

[@jayfeatherrwc]

@@catherinebreitfeller669 was talking to someone else

[@BlackSeranna]

She’s the first person I ever heard of when their head was in the bear’s jaw survived it.

[@boydwhite3708]

What a tale to tell...glad you survived.

[@glenrobinson916]

She’s a brave woman! Hope the recovery goes well❤

[@backandforthupanddow]

Wow. She’s impressive.

[@kerriwilliams1503]

Such a wise calm young lady! So happy she is okay❤

[@tengotnco5942]

She is so brave, composed. So glad she survived ❤🎉

[@robertstitt9512]

A very lucky young woman! One should never venture into bear country without proper protection-bear spray, or fire arm -both work.

[@boydwhite3708]

Yep, that is one aspect missing from this encounter. Some sort of protection. Good God, there must be wolf packs up there too...seems like I heard of a young lady from the lower 48 who went up there about 15 years ago and went for a jog and ran into a wolf pack that killed and ate her.

[@timberwolfdtproductions3890]

Her people have been living intimately with wildlife on that land for over ten thousand years. You’re out of place trying to educate her about bear safety.

[@Don.Challenger]

Yes, one big gun and three grizzly bears and even the automobile traffic probably wouldn't hear the shots (and at 02:11) that area was mulched after the attack and so she probably ran up close to the bears before she ever was aware and depending on windage (wind direction) neither the dog nor bears may have been able to smell each other.

[@Kattaz0309]

@@timberwolfdtproductions3890 Her people?? If she was so educated about bears she would have had bear spray.

[@MB-qx9vn]

True. But often attacks happen so fast neither of those weapons are going to be of any use. Doesn’t hurt to carry them certainly, but sometimes you’re just at the wrong place at the wrong time.

[@charly3575]

Girl, please carry some bear spray on your walks.

[@josemanuelriveroandreusala9273]

Bear spray might have prevented the attack, and avoided the killing of three bears.

[@LS-mc2rv]

Do some research because it doesn't always work and especially not against a male grizzly

[@JulyFourth1776]

@@LS-mc2rv Guns don't always work either. Most guns are illegal or very strictly controlled in Canada.

[@blobbertmcblob4888]

If a bear wants you dead, bear spray ain't gonna do much.

[@davidsuch8942]

And leave the annoying, yappy dog at home.

[@henryrodgers1752]

Canada’s government is a mixed bag concerning bear conservation. In Alberta, Ryan Phinney (“The Bear Guy” yo_tube channel) has been employed by the government to help protect people and bears. Over the last 17 years he has developed effective methods of moving problem bears, using their natural aversion to human beings, protecting people and bears alike. Recently, national political figures have quickly moved to support killing any bears perceived to be a problem. There are better long term solutions than killing. Big powerful boars create a stable population dynamic. When that bear is killed, a struggle begins among younger bears for dominance in the area. That makes for less safety for everyone involved in outdoor activities.

[@Sandra-cm1du]

It's a mircle. So glad she is okay. Thank God!!!

[@chriskasulke3492]

I find it unacceptable that they killed the three bears. We are in their space.

[@leilace5304]

Agree.

[@blobbertmcblob4888]

Bears that attack people will do it again.

[@MrWiseinheart]

Brars that get a taste for human blood will do it again. I know it's not their fault but..

[@LeTrashPanda]

@@blobbertmcblob4888 Stay out of bear territory and stay alive. Who is supposed to be the smarter animal, the human or the bear?

[@cbbees1468]

​@@LeTrashPandaUm, cities used to be bear territory smooth brain.

[@jdebell7068]

Glad she's alive but don't agree with killing of animals in their habitat

[@nathanadrian7797]

I sure am glad that you are not in charge!

[@DD-kh5fi]

I agree. You need bear spray which I did not hear her mention. No one should be hiking jogging alone. I can see the one bear being shot since it will attack again but not the other two who ran off. Ridiculous. You live there you take the risks.

[@user-ktm890rider]

@@DD-kh5fiyou don’t live here Native First Nations People Live Here

[@michellegarry1872]

People are way more important than animals.

[@Kattaz0309]

@@michellegarry1872 Not all people. No way!

[@brendachristopher2693]

Dogs are quite often the problem. They chase the bear, the bear turns around and chases the dog who runs right back to the owner and the owner becomes a victim. For a strong dog like that have a harness for better control. It's sad that three bears had to lose their lives, that shouldn't have happened, period.

[@mikamikerson2641]

really?? I suggest you reload the video and pay attention to the reporting

[@brendachristopher2693]

@@mikamikerson2641 I made a comment about dogs in general quite often causing these types of problems, not necessarily about this particular interaction. I live in a rural area and I have had bear encounters, I offered advice regarding using a harness for better control of a large dog, I lost control once. I don't believe the bears should have been euthanized. I know that there have been a couple of cases in our area where dogs chased a bear and the bear chased the dog which ran back to its owner and the owner got involved defending the dog. I've had a few large dogs and I believe it's important to train a dog not to chase animals and to come when called. Just advice from an old lady.

[@davidsuch8942]

If that bear was a male, the yappy dog caused the mauling for sure

[@LeTrashPanda]

Dogs can also make a horse rear up on a trail but by all means bring them along, lol.

[@cherista]

R.i.p. bears. Two of them even ran away. Sad

[@ashh8496]

Yeah, I don't get that part of the story. It's not like they were out hunting humans. It was a wrong place wrong time thing. Now, if this was a pattern of behavior of these bears attacking humans, then I would agree with their course of action.

[@myrootsgraspNewsoil]

Incredible young woman! I’m so glad she and her dog, survived this! ♥️

[@timmillan6701]

I’m glad it wasn’t any worse for her. This woman seems to be particularly grounded and that may have played some part in her survival

[@atlanticgirl76]

She has a wonderful attitude about the encounter. Very matter of fact, which is exactly what nature is.

[@necrom21221]

Bear lives matter.

[@maureenpalmquist08]

She is so calm. Her dad taught her well.

[@redeyedmongoose2963]

An amazing story to be able to tell your kids and grandkids, you truly rock young lady !

[@Troubles0125]

Her guardian angel sure was watching her.. So very blessed she is still alive she is very level headed and seems like a nice person...HUGS for the dog also good boy!

[@Carrie-so3ro]

I AM glad that both the young lady & her dog survived. I am UNHAPPY that the authorities took the LIFE OF THE BEARS SO CHEAPLY! IT WAS NOT the bear's fault what had happened! Bears ARE hunted (something this lady probably hunted with her father) & the bears KNOW THIS! This male bear was JUST PROTECTING the 2 females (from the sounds of it) that were with him. He SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN KILLED - (NOR SHOULD THE OTHER 2 COMPLETELY INNOCENT BEARS THAT DID NOTHING AT ALL!) - WHEN ALL HE WAS TRYING TO DO WAS PROTECT HIS OWN - as EVERY HUMAN WOULD DO WHEN ATTACKED! IF ANYBODY IS AT FAULT - it was THE YOUNG LADY! HOW did her dog get OFF-LEASH!!?? If her dog didn't go after the bears - NOBODY & NOTHING would likely have been hurt or killed. I feel badly that she is so injured - BUT SHE - ALMOST got HERSELF killed, COULD have gotten her dog killed AND DID get 2 COMPLETELY INNOCENT bears killed AND 1 OTHER BEAR killed - that was ONLY protecting his family! HUMAN FAULT - SHOULD NOT GET ANIMALS KILLED!! - As happened here & in MANY, MANY other cases! People - & ESPECIALLY those gov. authorities that "deal" with these situations - DO NOT VALUE LIFE OF ANY OTHER CREATURE - AS THEY SHOULD VALUE THEM! THEY SHOULD NOT BE IN THEIR JOB IF THEY CAN'T! IF NECESSARY - you TRANQUILIZE the animals - & MOVE THEM - to a more remote area (which is hard enough for them as you need to make sure that you are not dropping them in another animal's territory [which would require mapping things out - & which they would be afraid may have happened to them] & that they have access to food & water & shelter - but then they have to find these sources.) THIS IS still better though, than taking another life. ANIMAL LIFE IS VALUABLE - NOT ONLY HUMAN LIFE! HUMANS HAVE THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY TOO - TO STOP BEING SO CARELESS OR PROVOKING ANIMALS - SO THAT AN INNOCENT ANIMAL DOESN'T LOSE ITS LIFE!

[@Vernbubba]

You know nothing about bears so stop making a fool of yourself. Everyone is laughing at you

[@DD-kh5fi]

Excellent comments. Bravo!!

[@br.m]

If it was a whiteman who was attacked then the natives would be screaming over the killed bears. Saying everything you say. What a world we live in.

[@michellegarry1872]

You sound like a wack job.

[@Carrie-so3ro]

@@DD-kh5fi Thank-you.

[@kathleen2754]

You are the perfect example of just what to do when attacked by a bear. God bless you 🙏🙏🙏

[@serenitynow85]

She's the woman from the "would you rather"

[@ihaveinsomnia1]

That's great she survived! How scary.

[@Brayc01]

Much respect for this women .. and the bears.

[@Don.Challenger]

And the dog

[@blobbertmcblob4888]

@@Don.Challenger The dog caused the whole thing lmao. Not intentionally of course, but never walk your dog through bear country. and if you do come across a bear while walking your dog, let that sucker go, the dog has a better chance of outrunning a bear than you do.

[@LaurelWreath7]

To God be the Glory great things he has done! Like David and his sling shot conquering Goliath with a stone, her simple hair clip became her salvation from the jaws of a bear! She is a brave and wise young woman. So glad she’s alive! ❤

[@johnschneider4160]

Huh??? I don't get the corelation....????

[@paigeturner7788]

She has post traumatic stress from this; you can hear it in her voice…and I can see why. Glad she survived and she’s on the mend.❤️‍🩹

[@julieb7785]

What a young woman of character...articulate, philosophical, level-headed, stoic. Glad youre ok, honey...

[@craigcooknf]

What an incredible story, amazing dog, and strong woman! I'd probably need a year of therapy before I could take a news reporter to the site of the attack and talk about it......let alone visit it again!

[@ahill4642]

I thought that, too! But I suppose the bears were gone so that had to be a comfort.

[@mikewiser9872]

Very brave young woman! Very grateful she didn't have terrible disfiguring Facial damage as so many victims do!

[@Lesley-xv8gk]

What a brave young lady and dog. Love that this is a bona- fide true encounter and although Kaska sustained awful injury she survived. Good that she was wise about bears thanks to her Dad.

[@mikitaylor7074]

What a beautiful woman inside and out . Prayers for a full recovery. ❤️‍🩹

[@MikeW-yk5tr]

What can you do?? Everyday is a blessing. Glad you are ok.

[@roblockhart8410]

Wow! So glad she’s ok! Smart girl

[@kandcroe3802]

Cool head under such pressure in a terrifying situation! Bless her!

[@jokersrope]

What an amazing respectful brave woman ❤ and dog ❤

[@CruzCruz-nw7fi]

That’s a beautiful countryside

[@hdskl2150]

Wow what an amazing experience! God bless

[@whitetailedboss]

No personal protection 😬

[@buzz5969]

Only a Hair clip and won!

[@whitetailedboss]

@@buzz5969 crazy af! At least have some bear 🐻 spray 🫣

[@BayAreaMusicVideos]

Brave young beautiful woman.

[@BanFamilyVlogging]

I’m so glad she & her dog are okay, but the death of those bears is tragic 💔

[@maryhensley2597]

So very thankful these two made it out alive!

[@catherinebreitfeller669]

God bless you. It was not your time for sure !! ❤🙏🏻

[@elizabethcarrington5819]

What a smart and resourceful young lady. Luna is a rockstar!

[@buzz5969]

What band?

[@artbykcappadona5166]

I read somewhere that if you have a dog, you have a much higher chance of being attacked because the dog starts barking. Otherwise, you could just back up quietly. So the dog actually saved her life, but he probably also caused calamity to begin with. Very sad that three bears lost their lives. But I am very thankful that this young woman survived and so did her dog. They were very, very brave.

[@eligebrown8998]

Im going to start wearing a hair clip in the woods. Very fortunate.

[@agl5132]

Thank God she and the dog survived. ❤🙌🏽🙏🏼

[@ahill4642]

I’m so glad she and Luna are okay! Wow, what a story. And what an amazing and beautiful lady. ☺️

[@TOURMANBOB]

Tremendous presence of mind .....

[@marylouise2169]

So happy she survived! ❤❤

[@ykmaggie]

Incredible! So happy she lived to tell the story

[@HighRisksatx]

Wopila Tankasila for sparing this girls life, A'ho!

[@Don.Challenger]

Yes, these great fathers of creation tend to have things on their mind and may not weave things together in the best order every single time and the way life runs in a mutually respectful nature still carries challenges.

[@EKAdventures51]

praise that you knew what to do, heal fast

[@zentzu4003]

would like to hear more about this, it’s insane

[@lynnewillette2654]

Good report. Sensible woman.

[@GR8W8spaz]

It’s a walking trail people and we are still the ultimate apex predator on this planet so for you folks that think we need to give them space, continue to sit on your couch and live by the nobody moves, nobody gets hurt rule…we will continue to go out and explore our planet and enjoy life. For the record, that bear likely would have attacked someone else, he learned it was effective so would use that tactic again. Just saying.

[@fearnofish8940]

Go for a hike through Africa then come back and tell me again you are the Apex predator. 🙄 nothing wrong with exploring the world, but when you don’t respect nature, you end up dead. Those animals will still be here long after the humans are gone.

[@ashleybrown8488]

Exactly right. Animals don’t have property rights and will invade each other’s territories. The whole its their space crap is mostly nonsense. Especially when bears break into houses. People say the bear was just trying to survive, maybe so, but so did the lady.

[@WilliamsPinch]

I hike avidly in GA mountains. I carry mace and a ruger just in case. But I wouldn’t want to off 3 bears.

[@GR8W8spaz]

I pack my defender when I move around in the bush and have never had to use it, hope I never do. Preservation of human life and property is paramount. Trap and relocate if you can for sure but that doesn’t always work I’m afraid so sadly at times they must be destroyed. Generally people cause this behaviour to come out in the bear so education and common sense is key to keeping that separation. But you know how that goes…

[@MJ1919]

Glad she is ok. Sensible woman. But absolutely out of order killing the bears. Its their home. We are the visitors.

[@josemanuelriveroandreusala9273]

We are the invaders.Nobody invited us

[@lynnstervinou2530]

What sang froid this woman has she recounts it as if she was bitten by a hamster

[@user-gf6yl8jg6z]

An actual miracle

[@bloodlove93]

bears hate pfas lmao

[@user-gf1un4xj3b]

You are a very lucky lady!!

[@julierogers1155]

Glad you survived.

[@funshine817]

How did she not have bear spray with her? She was hiking in known bear country. It may have helped. Amazing what one grab from a Grizzly can do. Glad she survived.

[@beatpirate8]

why did they have to die when you are in their land. walk on your street not their land now three grizzleys are dead. however im glad her and luna made it.

[@timberwolfdtproductions3890]

It’s her land too. Her people have been walking that land far thousands of years before streets existed.

[@fearnofish8940]

@@timberwolfdtproductions3890 so were the bears so next time be prepared when you’re in their area. You don’t walk through a ghetto at night unarmed why would you walk in bear territory unarmed.

[@WilliamsPinch]

@@timberwolfdtproductions3890so she should’ve hiked with at least bear mace. If you can’t protect yourself, stay out of the trees.

[@timberwolfdtproductions3890]

@@WilliamsPinch Her people have lived with the wildlife on that land for thousands of years, yet you presume to try and educate her on how to be bear safe? that's a little rich.

[@jancyvargheese5351]

@@timberwolfdtproductions3890she is european. europeans that migrated to North America have only been living with bears for 300 years

[@orbyjett2864]

Everyone tells me, bearspray?

[@pppantz]

I am so grateful that she was spared by the bear to have the rest of her precious life.

[@minervagalvez4748]

WHY DON'T PEOPLE CARRY BEAR SPRAY???

[@mother_of_doxies]

Three bears that matched a description. What were they doing, wearing scarves?

[@californianorma876]

Such composure 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@steveshea6148]

Bear tip: cover your entire body in plastic hair clips

[@wishingonthemoon1]

Glad she survived and shared her experience with us. It’s a shame they put the bears down.

[@tims4589]

so running (!) alone (!) in grizzly bear country, with a dog(!) she could not restrain and without bear spray (!). Sounds really clever

[@bevsumner4628]

THANK YOU FOR BEING LEVEL HEADED IN YOUR ACTIONS AND TOWARD BEARS❤ YOUR DOG HE LOOKS GREAT.....HE DIDN'T GET HURT❤?? RIGHT?

[@ricksantiago702]

Hair clips will be sold at all gas stations next to the bear spray

[@buzz5969]

We dont have either, I just checked.

[@amsf1]

Glad she survived. I don't, nor do I ever plan to live in bear country.

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

No weapons.Nuts!

[@paulstoyek381]

Very few dogs are that brave..

[@sherripersell]

Why in hell would you put them down????

[@SarahCoffeeTime]

You are so brave to have handled that frightening situation so well. I have regular nightmares about bears as we have many where we live (ours are black bears though). Glad you had 2 very helpful contributors to saving your life…your smart dog distracting bears, and your strong hair clip!

[@ahill4642]

Same! Bears in my city every summer/fall, and scary dreams about them for years.

[@christinemcdonald8257]

Really impressive young woman! But don’t understand why they had to put the bears down since the attack seem provoked by the dog barking.

[@robbubba8020]

The dog needs a harness the collar and leash don't hold it glad your ok definitely a learning experience

[@r8chlletters]

She is very very lucky to be alive. Jogging can happen anywhere-be aware of your surroundings and stay far away from wild animals. These poor bears were destroyed as a result of someone thinking they could go for a jog. Please folks just stay away from these animals.

[@leabayliss8413]

This is a situation where carrying bear spray may have saved everyone. The bears were surprised, one responded in a defensive manner, but all the bears were killed. They were a family of bears well known to the community - mom and cubs. Never any issues in the past. The outcome was positive for the jogger, thankfully, not so for the mom and two of her cubs.

[@dhollyd]

Well versed on what to do - so glad she and her dog are both ok. I do NOT think the bears, for sure all three!, needed to be euthanized - it was their home they were in . 💔

[@GaiaCarney]

Respect

[@maryanngregory4750]

So blessed to survive

[@Linda-ot3pj]

What a scary event. God spared her precious life for a reason.