Woman survives bear attack in Sandias

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A female camper fought off an attacking bear early Sunday morning in the Sandia Mountains.

Campers awoke to find a bear pawing at their tent.

The bear then grabbed a female camper and dragged her out of the tent. Game Wardens say the bear was going after food in the tent.

"Right now, any easy food source such as a tent in the middle of the night is going to be somethign that's naturally going to attract them," New Mexigo Game and Fish Sgt. Donald Jaramillo said.

The alert camper punched the bear in the nose, stood up to look bigger and then ran to her vehicle and climbed on top it.

"You don't typically want to run directly away, try to out run it, but slowly back away. But yes, if it does start attacking you fight it off with whatever means you have availale at the time," Jaramillo said.

Game and Fish officers spent most of Sunday looking for the bear with a volunteer who has bloodhounds. Game Wardens then tried to set traps to catch the bear. It needs to be tested for diseases and state law says it must be "destroyed."

The woman was transported to University of New Mexico Hospital for injuries to her hip and both calves.

Game and Fish officials said campers must secure food and trash away from where they sleep.

If you encounter an aggressive bear, try to look big and fight back. Both of those tips worked in this case.