Bear attack leaves one soldier dead and another wounded in Alaska

A soldier died Tuesday in Alaska after being attacked by a bear, which wildlife officials said could be trying to protect its cubs.

After being wounded, Sergeant Seth Michael Plant was transported to the army base hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Alaska Army confirmed in a statement Thursday.

Another soldier was wounded during the attack, the statement said, received treatment for minor injuries and was released.

Plant was a member of the infantry and was working in a training area at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) when the attack took place. “Sergeant Plant was an integral part of our organization,” said Lt. Col. David J. Nelson, commander of the battalion where the victim served, in a statement. “He was a positive and dedicated leader who brought energy and joy to the paratroopers who served with him.

Plant, who was 30 years old, received numerous awards and decorations.

“He always had a smile on his face, he always went above and beyond what was asked, and he was always an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” Nelson said. “His loss of him is deeply felt in our organization, and we offer our sincere condolences to his friends and family.”

Prior to joining the military in January 2015, Plant, who was born in Saint Augustine, Florida, served on the reserves in US states such as Georgia and North Carolina, according to the statement. He arrived at JBER in July 2021.

Probable defense of a bear

The area where Plant was attacked is in a remote part of the military base, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Fisheries. Department officials were called to the area where the accident occurred and found a bear den nearby, where two grizzly bear cubs were.

“With everything we know so far, based on the scene of the investigation and information from other agencies, this looks like a defensive attack by a bear protecting her cubs,” Cyndi Wardlow, the department’s supervisor, said in a statement. “We are trying to find out as much as we can about what happened to increase public safety in dealing with wildlife in Alaska.”

All three North American bear species live in Alaska, according to the department’s website, although fur collected in the region indicates that the individual in question is a grizzly bear. Although animals often “avoid or ignore” people, they can be dangerous, the department said.

An adult bear was seen on surveillance cameras returning to the den and leaving with the cubs, the department said.

“A bear that is considered a threat to public safety or involved in a fatal attack may be killed by the Department,” read the ADFG note.

The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division is working with the Alaska Wildlife Patrol, the Alaska Department of Fish and Fisheries, and other agencies to investigate the attack.