Vanessa Chaput, a brave mother from Yukon, Canada, survived a terrifying grizzly bear attack while jogging with her German shepherd, Luna, in June. Chaput, 24, said her 2-year-old daughter was her inspiration to survive the ordeal. As she was jogging alongside a highway and near residential homes, she came face-to-face with three bears, one of which attacked her. Luna, her loyal dog, chased away the smaller bears, leaving Chaput alone with the male bear.
While trying to back away from the bear, Chaput picked a tree to hide behind, but the bear charged at her, eventually taking her down. She recalled feeling like a rag doll as she was thrown around by the bear. Despite the intense pressure and physical harm inflicted by the bear, Chaput’s thoughts were focused on her daughter and husband, motivating her to fight for survival. The attack ended abruptly when the bear suddenly let go of her head and ran away, possibly due to a hair clip or the snap of branches startling the animal.
Despite being injured and bloodied, Chaput managed to make her way to safety and was reunited with Luna, who had likely scared the bear away with her barking. She used her Apple Watch to call her husband and emergency services, and was hospitalized for 10 days, receiving over 30 stitches and treatment for her injuries. Eight days later, she was reunited with her daughter, who was told that mommy had an “ow-ie.” The Yukon Conservation Officer Services confirmed the incident, stating that the bear was euthanized after attacking Chaput in a defensive reaction triggered by Luna.
Following the attack, efforts were made to locate and euthanize other bears in the area, with officials conducting necropsies and DNA tests to determine which bear was responsible for the attack. The government of Yukon provided a tip sheet on bear behavior and safety guidelines, emphasizing the importance of remaining calm during bear encounters. Chaput, while grateful to have survived the attack, is hesitant to return to jogging trails. She revisited the scene of the attack with a conservation officer and her family, including Luna, to help process her emotions and come to terms with the traumatic experience.
Chaput expressed shock at her luck and gratitude for being alive after such a harrowing ordeal. She credited her daughter and husband for giving her the strength to continue fighting during the attack, and she believes that divine intervention played a role in her survival. Despite the physical and emotional scars left by the incident, Chaput remains thankful for the support and care she received during her recovery. She emphasized the importance of bear safety and awareness while in bear country, hoping that others can learn from her experience and avoid similar encounters in the future.
