Rabid Black Bear Attacks Pennsylvania Man on Trail

The bear, which exhibited abnormal behavior, was shot by a neighbor and later confirmed to have rabies; the victim is recovering after medical treatment.

Andrew Neirer was attacked by a 200-pound black bear while walking on a trail near his home in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, on January 19, 2025.
The bear aggressively approached Neirer, biting and scratching him, which officials described as highly unusual behavior for the species.
A neighbor intervened, shooting and killing the bear to stop the attack; the bear's remains tested positive for rabies on January 23, 2025.
Neirer received medical treatment and is expected to fully recover; he expressed sympathy for the bear, citing unusual weather and possible starvation as factors.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission emphasized the rarity of rabies in bears and urged the public to report any wildlife exhibiting abnormal behaviors.