Florida man survives attack by pair of bears, doorbell camera shows

A Florida man went toe-to-toe with a black bear and lived to tell about it, sharing video of the dangerous encounter.

At about 4 a.m. on Aug. 15, Alexander Rojas, 23, was confronted by a pair of juvenile black bears in his front yard as he was leaving his Apopka, Florida, home. Ring camera footage showed the technician locking his door before noticing a loud cub approach him, panicking, and yelling at the mammal.

The bear bit Rojas’ arm and clawed his ribs before he managed to get away, according to a GoFundMe page started by his sister, Yhelisa Rojas.

“I had three immediate options: attempt to open the door while a bear was still within five feet, run left where another bear of similar size was approximately 30 feet away, or run right toward the woods where the mother bear could potentially be,” Alexander Rojas said on the fundraiser page.

Forced to make a life-or-death decision, Alexander Rojas said he managed to evade both bears by hurdling over a vehicle and dashing further down a street.

“For some odd reason, he turned around, did more stutter steps towards me and bit my arm and then clawed my rib cage,” Alexander Rojas told WESH. “I was able to kick his feet out and knock him in the nose.”

Rojas’ forearm suffered possible nerve, tendon damage

Alexander Rojas was treated and released at a local hospital, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a release. The agency responded to the area on Aug. 21 to try and trap the bear.

He was treated for injuries to his left arm and the left side of his abdomen. He said he is seeking donations to help with medical bills prompted by stiches and possible nerve and tendon damage to his forearm.

“My arm is currently very uncomfortable [and] my hand feels really weak,” Rojas told USA TODAY over a text message on Aug 27. He said his next medical appointment is scheduled for Sept. 4.

Bears are typically quiet and shy animals, and attacks are very rare, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said. Bears are still wild animals and could seriously harm or kill people if they feel threatened or if they are protecting their young.

In May, an 89-year-old man and his dog were found dead in Collier County near Naples, after what Florida officials say is the first fatal bear attack in the state’s recorded history. Several more sightings and encounters have been reported this year.

What do I do if a bear approaches me?

Should you encounter a bear and it doesn’t move away, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends remaining standing upright and speaking to the bear in a calm, assertive voice. Back up slowly toward a secure area, but be sure to leave the bear a clear escape route.

Stop if moving away seems to irritate the bear, according to the agency.

Here are reminders on what to avoid if someone encounters a bear in the wild.

• Make any sudden or abrupt movements.
• Running: Running can trigger a chase instinct, and bears can sprint up to 35 mph.
• Playing dead: Black bears eat things that play dead or are dead.
• Climbing a tree: Black bears can climb 100 feet up a tree in 30 seconds. 
• Making eye contact: Bears and other animals may view this as aggressive behavior.
• Approaching or surprising a bear, especially one that may be injured. 

How can I avoid bear encounters?

Aside from living in the woods, bears are attracted to areas where they can find unsecured garbage containers. It is illegal in Florida to intentionally feed bears or leave out food or garbage that will attract them. 

To reduce the chances of running into a bear:

• Store garbage in a sturdy shed or garage and then put it out on the morning of pickup rather than the night before.
• If not stored in a secure building, modify your garbage can to make it more bear-resistant or use a bear-resistant container.
• Secure commercial garbage in a bear-resistant trash receptacle.
• Protect gardens, beehives, compost, and livestock with electric fencing.
• Pick ripe fruit from trees and bushes and remove fallen fruit from the ground.
• Remove wildlife feeders or only put enough food in them for wildlife to finish before dark.
• Feed pets indoors, or only put out enough for short time periods and bring leftovers and dishes back inside.
• Clean and degrease grills and smokers after each use and, if possible, store them inside.