Cheap Plastic Hairclip Saves Woman From Deadly Grizzly Bear Attack
July 29, 2024
On June 30, Vanessa Chaput's routine run near Haines Junction, Yukon, turned into a life-threatening encounter when she came face-to-face with three grizzly bears.
CTV News
While walking her dog, Luna, Chaput found herself too close for comfort with the bears.
"I was right beside them and it was just too close," she said in an interview with Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN).
Chaput attempted to give the bears space, but Luna got off leash and chased two of them away. The third bear, however, charged at Chaput.
"When the bear had taken me down with my head in its mouth, my first thought was just kind of protect your vitals, so I went straight into the fetal position," she told APTN.
A surprising and unlikely object played a crucial role in her survival. Chaput was wearing a palm-sized plastic hair clip, which broke in the bear's mouth.
"My saving grace is from Walmart," she said, holding up the broken clip. She believes the sudden breakage stunned the bear, causing it to release her momentarily.
Chaput sought refuge behind a tree, but the bear charged again. This time, Luna's barking distracted the bear long enough for Chaput to escape. "If it wasn’t for my dog barking, the bear was going to come finish the job," she said.
Bloodied and injured, Chaput made her way to the highway where she called 911 and her husband. She was taken to the hospital, where she spent weeks recovering. Her right arm suffered puncture wounds, a broken bone, and nerve damage. "And then my tricep was torn in two places," she added.
Despite the severity of the incident, Chaput holds no resentment towards the bears, Luna, or herself. "I don’t blame the bears for what happened. I don’t blame my dog or myself. It was wrong place at the wrong time. Again it could have happened to anybody," she said.
Watch the video below.
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
Couple Rescues Prairie Dog From Their Dog's Mouth, Then Decides To Adopt It
Ohio Man Makes Waves With His Fully Functioning Hot Dog Boat
These Are The Movie Scenes People Say Are Absolutely Flawless
Judge Waives Parking Fines So Dad Can Keep Supporting Son’s Space Dreams
Hungry Elephant Casually Walks Into Grocery Store For Snacks In Thailand
Wild Orcas Keep Giving Humans Gifts, Leaving Experts Puzzled
Artist Creates Mesmerizing Optical Illusion Using Just A Marker And A Spinning Wheel
Hero Dog Named RAMBO Scares Off Masked Robbers To Save Woman
Concerned Momma Moose Wanders Into Alaska Firehouse
The Funniest Dog Reactions To Hearing 'Walk' — You’ll Be Laughing Out Loud
UPS Driver Joins Teenagers On Graduation Slip ’N Slide