Patrice Miller, a 71-year-old woman from a small Northern California town, tragically lost her life after being mauled and partially eaten by an aggressive black bear that had been harassing her for months. The bear, which she had named “Big B—ard,” had been repeatedly seen returning to her home despite her efforts to keep it out by installing steel bars across her windows.
When officials discovered Miller’s body in her Downieville home last November, they initially thought she may have died of natural causes and the bear broke in due to the scent. However, neighbors had reported the bear’s presence, indicating a pattern of aggressive behavior towards Miller.
This incident marks the first documented fatal black bear attack on a human in California, highlighting the dangers posed by wildlife in areas like Downieville, which are known to be habitats for bears. Caitlin Roddy of California Fish and Wildlife’s North-Central region noted that Downieville is located right where bears like to be, making encounters with these animals more common.
Miller’s friend, Cassie Koch, shared that Miller had expressed a desire for the bear to be removed without harm before the tragic attack. The presence of a vegetable garden, compost, and delayed trash disposal in Miller’s property could have attracted the bear, leading to the fatal encounter.
Around 40% of California’s black bear population resides in the Sierra Nevadas, where Downieville is situated, increasing the likelihood of human-bear interactions. Following the incident, the bear responsible for Miller’s death was captured and euthanized to prevent further harm to residents in the area.
This heartbreaking story serves as a reminder of the importance of coexisting with wildlife in a responsible manner, taking precautions to avoid dangerous encounters with animals like black bears. It also underscores the need for wildlife management strategies to mitigate risks and protect both humans and animals in shared habitats.
