California Man Mauled While Helping Injured Bear

Sometimes, being a good person can come with unexpected consequences. A 59-year-old man in northern California learned that the hard way after attempting to help an injured bear on the side of the road in Humboldt County, near the Oregon border.

Reports say he either saw the bear get hit—or hit it himself—then felt bad and stopped to help. He tried to lift the 400-pound black bear over a concrete barrier, but unfortunately, the bear didn’t recognize the gesture as kindness. It mauled him, biting his left forearm multiple times.

Thankfully, an off-duty EMT happened to be nearby, applied a tourniquet, and called 911. The man was taken to the hospital—no word on his condition. Sadly, the bear didn’t survive.

The lesson here? Compassion is admirable, but wild animals are still wild. Let the professionals handle it.