Grizzly Attack: Woman’s Camping Trip Ends in Tragedy

Shortly after midnight, Joe and Kim Cole were jolted awake by a terrifying noise. A horrifying roar echoed from the other side of the camp, and they knew instantly what it was: the bear had come back.

Mother Nature is a harsh teacher. She doesn’t give second chances for mistakes.

What Actually Happened?

This brings us to the heartbreaking tale of Davis Loken, a 65-year-old retired nurse from California who tragically lost her life to a fierce Montana grizzly bear.

Davis, an adventurous soul, had joined a 2745-mile ultra-endurance cycling event, known as the Tour Divide, from Banff to New Mexico.

Accompanied by her sister and a friend, she enthusiastically prepared for the anticipated journey. She stocked up on food and clothes and even packed bear spray. But, unfortunately, these precautions proved insufficient against one of nature’s most formidable predators, the grizzly bear.

An experienced traveler, Davis made a single yet grave error during her stay in the small town of Ovando on the banks of the Blackfoot River. Ignoring warnings about a wild bear in the area, she decided to camp outside near another cycling couple, Kim and Joe Cole. Her sister and friend, uncomfortable with the idea, opted for a hotel.

The crisis struck just past 3 a.m. when Davis heard a rustling sound nearby. She soon realized, with a shiver of fear, that the bear outside was enormous. Relying on her nursing instincts, she tried to scare the creature off by shouting and making noise, a strategy that worked initially, causing the bear to retreat into the darkness.

However, Davis misjudged the situation. Even after the scary encounter, she decided to stay in her tent, convinced that the lentils in her tent had attracted the bear. To prevent further incidents, she removed all food from her tent. Yet, she overlooked a tiny detail – a small bag of toiletries that had once held cranberries was left behind, its faint aroma enticing enough to the bear.

Sadly, her miscalculation proved fatal. An hour later, the bear returned. Despite the Coles’ efforts to scare it off, it was too late for Davis. She was fatally wounded, a sight that would haunt Joe and Kim forever.

An autopsy showed that her neck was broken, her spine was severed, and she was killed immediately. The bear didn’t hurt anyone else and quickly ran away.

In their report, the National Park Service described the incident as a predatory attack and suggested that the bear was likely conditioned to associate humans with food. They also noted the Fourth of July leftovers littering the nearby park as a possible contributing factor. The bear was later found and euthanized, and DNA analysis from its paws confirmed that it was responsible for Davis’s demise.

These DNA tests confirmed that this same bear was responsible for raiding a chicken coop a few hours after Leah’s attack. The bear, which was estimated to be between four and seven years old, was found and killed by officials a few days later.

The report also contained a photo taken by a hidden camera (see below), which was believed to show the bear that attacked her.

Despite their fierce reputation, grizzly bear attacks are relatively rare in the U.S., with only around 11 fatalities reported each year. However, when these bears become aggressive, it’s typically in defense of their cubs or when they feel threatened. In this instance, it was the allure of food that spelled disaster for Davis.

To stay safe around grizzly bears, it’s important to travel in groups, stick to established paths, and make noise to announce your presence. If you encounter a bear, stand your ground calmly, wave your arms to appear larger, and slowly move away without climbing trees.

If the bear does not back away you may need to use aggressive body language and an assertive gruff voice to communicate to the bear he should not mess with you. This is difficult to do when you are scared. If there are bear cubs this technique should not be used. A Momma bear will not back down if she senses her cubs are in danger. Scroll down to see a video with examples of hikers that successfully scared off a bear.

It’ s a good idea to always carry bear spray when hiking in areas with a large bear population. NEVER leave food or food-smelling items out as this will attract the bears to your campsite. If a bear appears interested in your campsite, leave the area immediately, as it may have been conditioned or habituated to humans, which could potentially be deadly.

If you watch the bear encounter video below you will see that bears can leave how to open unlocked car doors. Once they have experienced a situation where they found food in a car they have learned to check other cars for food. When in bear country always lock the doors to your vehicle when unattended.

Expert Tips on Surviving Bear Encounters (Video)

Exploring the Outdoors Safely in an RV

Camping outdoors can be a thrilling experience, but it also comes with significant risks, especially when done in a tent. The tragic incident involving Leah Davis Lokan highlights the dangers of tent camping in areas populated by wildlife, such as grizzly bears. While no form of camping is entirely risk-free, an RV can provide more safety and protection than tent camping.

An RV acts as a more substantial barrier between campers and wildlife. Its solid walls and secured doors can deter animals from entering, unlike the thin fabric of a tent. This added layer of protection can be crucial in areas known for bear activity or other wildlife threats.

RVs often come equipped with features that enhance safety and comfort. Many RVs have proper food storage areas, reducing the likelihood of attracting wildlife with food scents. They also provide a controlled environment where campers can store toiletries and other items that have a smell that might attract animals.

Scariest Bear Encounters Caught on Camera

14 Facts About Grizzly Bears (aka North American Brown Bears)

1. Grizzly bears, also known as North American brown bears, are one of the largest land predators in North America.
2. They can weigh between 400 and 800 pounds, and males are typically larger than females.
3. Grizzly bears can run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, which is faster than any human can run.
4. Their diet is omnivorous, consisting of plant and animal matter, including berries, roots, fish, small mammals, and occasionally larger prey like elk or moose.
5. Despite their powerful build and potential speed, most grizzly bears tend to avoid humans when possible.
6. Attacks on humans are relatively rare and often a result of surprise encounters, a mother protecting her cubs, or a bear that has become used to human food.
7. Grizzly bears have an exceptional sense of smell, even better than a hound dog’s, and can detect food from miles away.
8. Human-bear conflicts can often be avoided by proper food storage and disposal in bear country.
9. Grizzlies are more likely to attack when surprised or feeling threatened, so making noise when hiking in bear country can alert them to human presence and prevent surprise encounters.
10. Carrying bear spray when in grizzly territory is highly recommended, as it has been proven to be an effective deterrent in potential attack scenarios.
11. The grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states of the U.S. is estimated to be around 1,500, showing they are not a common encounter for most people.
12. Grizzly bears have a powerful bite that can crush a bowling ball, emphasizing their strength and potential danger.
13. However, they play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling other animal populations and spreading seeds through their droppings.
14. Although grizzly bear attacks make headlines, you’re statistically more likely to be struck by lightning than attacked by a bear.

Related Questions

1. How can you tell if bears are in your camping area?

It’s important to do a bit of research before setting up camp. Talk to local park rangers or consult reliable online resources to understand if you’re in bear territory. Once you’re there, look for signs like bear tracks, scat, and scratch marks on trees. If you see these signs, it’s an indication that bears may be in the area.

2. What should you do to prevent attracting bears to your campsite?

Bears are mostly drawn to the scent of food. So, ensure all your food and toiletries (which can also attract bears due to their scent) are stored in bear-resistant containers or hung from a tree in a bear bag at least 100 feet away from your campsite. Keep your cooking and eating areas clean, and never leave food or trash unattended.

3. If you encounter a bear, what should you do?

Stay calm and do not run – this could trigger a chase response. Instead, slowly back away while facing the bear but avoiding direct eye contact, which bears might perceive as threatening. Speak softly to let the bear know you’re human and not a prey animal. If the bear approaches, try to make yourself look bigger by raising your arms and standing on your tiptoes, and making loud noises to scare it away.

4. What’s the difference between black bears and grizzly bears regarding human interactions?

Black and grizzly bears generally want to avoid humans, but their behaviors can differ. Black bears are likelier to run away when frightened, while grizzlies might stand their ground. If a grizzly bear charges, using bear spray is highly recommended. If physical contact occurs, play dead by lying flat on your stomach with your hands behind your neck. However, fighting back is usually recommended for black bears if they make contact.

5. What should you do if you’re camping with kids and encounter a bear?

Keep children close to you at all times in bear country. Teach them the same safety rules as adults: never approach a bear, back away slowly if you encounter one, make noise to scare the bear away, and use bear spray if necessary. If a bear approaches, pick up small children immediately to prevent them from running or making sudden movements.