August 26, 2013
A teenager apparently was attacked over the weekend by a grey wolf in northern Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The attack occurred at the West Winnie Campground on the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish around 4 a.m. on Saturday.
The 16-year-old boy was lying outside a tent when he was attacked, according to Tom Provost, regional manager of the DNR's enforcement division.
"Unbeknownst to him, a large canine approached him from the rear and before he realized it was even there it had bit him in the back of the head resulting in a little bit of a struggle for him to free himself from the jaws," Provost said.
The teen was taken to a Bemidji-area hospital where he was treated for puncture wounds on either side of his face and later released.
The DNR did not release the identity of the teen, but Provost said he's from northern Minnesota.
Wolf attacks like this are extremely rare. "I do not know of another recorded incident similar to this where there was actual physical damage and injury to the victim," Provost said.
Following the attack, the U.S. Forest Service closed and evacuated the campground. Wildlife officials then set traps.
A 75 pound wolf matching the description of the animal in the attack was captured and killed this morning. Results of a rabies test will be available later this week.
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