Two College Wrestlers Fight Off A Grizzly Bear That Ambushed Them

Two Wyoming college wrestlers were seriously injured when they were ambushed by a grizzly bear while out hunting over the weekend, and they only have each other to thank for their survival.

According to a press release by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, the two were encountered by the bear at close range while they were in heavy cover while antler hunting west of the Bobcat Houlihan trailhead in the Shoshone National Forest.

One of the two men was immediately attacked by the bear, and the other acted fast. "I grabbed and yanked him hard by the ear," Kendall Cummings said about the bear on his friend.

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"I could hear when his teeth would hit my skull, I could feel when he'd bite down on my bones and they'd kind of crunch," Cummings continued.

The two men were somehow able to break free from the bear and call 911, bringing an immediate response by Park County Search and Rescue assisted by personnel by the Park County Search and Rescue.

"With the assistance of a hunter in the area, a local resident, and other members of their party, the two men were able to reach the trailhead where they met search and rescue and were transported from the area," said the Wyoming Game & Fish Department.

One of the victims had to be flown by helicopter to a local hospital, while the other was taken by ambulance.

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The two victims are teammates on at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, and both underwent multiple surgeries after sustaining major lacerations to the face and body. Lowry's arm was broken in the battle.

"Special thanks to Park County Search and Rescue and the Park County Sheriff's office for their quick response and coordination of the rescue," said Dan Smith, Cody Region wildlife supervisor.

An investigation into the attack seems to be finding that the bear attack was "sudden, surprise encounter with a grizzly bear."

"In the vicinity where the attack occurred, reports from landowners and hunters indicate there may be six to 10 different bears moving between agricultural fields and low elevation slopes," Smith said. "Game and Fish will continue to monitor bear activity in the area and work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make management decisions in the best interest of public safety."

For now, the wrestlers are counting their blessings and working on recovering from the bear attack.

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