Map Of Fatal Bear Attacks By State In America & Canada

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Last Updated: 4 July 2018

If you’ve ever gone camping, hiking or ventured out in the wilderness you’ve probably wondered how likely is it that you’ll be attacked or killed by a bear? Reassuringly the answer is: Not very likely at all. In fact, on average, you’re more likely to be killed by a dog or struck by lightning.

Fatal-bear-attacks-in-usa-and-canada

StateTotal Fatalities2000-20102010-2018Black BearsBrown BearsPolar BearsSources
TOTALS51183325251
Alaska12573901, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Arizona1011001
California1100101
Colorado1101001
Montana3120301, 2, 3,
New Jersey1011001
New Mexico1101001
New York1011001
Ohio1011001
Pennsylvania1101001
Tennessee2202001, 2
Utah1101001
Wyoming5050501, 2, 3, 4, 5
British Columbia5234101, 2, 3, 4, 5
Alberta5231401, 2, 3, 4, 5
Northwest Territories3122101, 2, 3,
Quebec3033001, 2, 3,
Ontario1011001
Manitoba2021101, 2,
Nunavut1010011

As you can see the statistics show there were a total of 18 reported deaths between 2000-2010 and 33 deaths between 2010-2018. 51 fatal attacks in the last 18 years works out to less than 3 per year on average.

You’re most likely to be killed by a bear in Alaska with 12 reported deaths in the last 18 years.  

Although brown bears are typically the more aggressive and bigger there have been an even number of deaths from both brown and black bears since 2000.

If you want to know more on bear safety you might want to read our guide here.

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