Tampa Bay

Woman Injured by Black Bear at Fla. Wildlife Sanctuary

Authorities say a 400-pound black bear mauled a woman's arm at a Tampa Bay area wildlife sanctuary.

The bear — named Abner — was in his cage Friday afternoon at the Wildlife Haven Animal Sanctuary in Dade City when 50-year-old Virginia Riggs reached in to pet him, according to NBC affiliate WFLA.

Pasco County Sheriff's deputies and rescue workers responded to the scene. Riggs was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital with severe injuries to her right arm. Riggs was last listed in critical condition.

The sheriff's office confirmed that the victim was not the owner of the licensed nonprofit organization, but it wasn't immediately clear whether the woman was a worker or a guest of the animal sanctuary.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us