Woman injured while trying to pet black bear

WTSP, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla.

This October 9, 2009 file photo shows a black bear as it scavenges for food beside tourists near the famous General Sherman tree at the Sequoia National Park in Central California. A black bear at a wildlife sanctuary in Florida attacked a woman who reached into its enclosure Friday.

DADE CITY, Fla. — A woman was injured when she tried to pet a 400-pound black bear in its enclosure at a wildlife sanctuary here Friday.

Virginia Riggs was flown to Tampa General Hospital with a severe arm injury, authorities say.

Mary Arche, a co-owner of Wildlife Haven Rehab, was giving a tour to Riggs, who was planning to adopt two birds, when the woman stuck her arm in the cage of a bear named Abner, who attacked her.

John Arche, the other co-owner, said he rushed in the cage to get Abner to release the woman.

Wildlife Haven Rehab Inc. is a nonprofit organization devoted to the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned Florida wildlife. The organization is permitted to have black bears on site.

Abner was donated to Wildlife Haven about a year-and-a-half ago. There are two other black bears at the facility, as well as a panther, alligator and several birds.

The Pasco County sheriff's deputies and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are investigating the case.

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