Practice Miller, a 71-year-old woman living in Downieville, California, was tragically killed by an aggressive black bear that had been harassing her for months. The bear, which she had named “Big B—ard,” broke into her home and mauled her to death last November. Initially, officials thought she may have died of natural causes and the bear was attracted by the scent, but neighbors reported seeing the bear repeatedly return to her house. Miller had even installed steel bars on her windows in an attempt to keep the bear out before it managed to break down her door.
This incident marked the first documented fatal black bear attack on a human in California, according to Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher. When deputies arrived at Miller’s home, they found signs of a struggle – broken door, bear scat, blood streaks, and paw prints. It was clear that the bear had likely been feeding on her remains for several days, as indicated by the coroner’s report. The bear had also dragged Miller from her bed to her living room, where her body was discovered. The small mountain town of Downieville is known to be a hotspot for bears, with around 40% of California’s estimated 65,000 black bears residing in the Sierra Nevadas.
Caitlin Roddy of California Fish and Wildlife’s North-Central region noted that bears are becoming increasingly common in the area, where they have easy access to food sources such as vegetable gardens, compost, and improperly managed trash. Miller’s friend Cassie Koch, who had requested a welfare check on her, revealed that Miller had expressed a desire to have the bear removed without causing harm before the tragic attack occurred. The growing bear population in the town has led to more frequent encounters with humans, with bears becoming bolder in their search for food. The bear responsible for Miller’s death was eventually captured and euthanized by authorities.
Miller’s death serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers posed by bears in areas where human and animal populations overlap. While efforts are being made to manage bear encounters and prevent such incidents, residents are urged to take precautions such as securing their homes and properly disposing of food waste. The incident in Downieville highlighted the need for increased awareness and education on coexisting with wildlife in areas where bears are prevalent. Authorities continue to monitor bear activity in the region to prevent further conflicts and protect both residents and wildlife. Despite the tragic outcome for Practice Miller, her death has sparked conversations about bear safety and conservation in Northern California.
