A bear that fatally attacked an 11-year-old boy Sunday night has been destroyed by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officers.

The unusual attack took place in a primitive camping area about two miles above Timpooneke campground in American Fork Canyon.

"We've never, according to our knowledge, had a fatality from a black bear attack," said Scott Root, Conservation Outreach manager for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. "To have one act aggressive is very rare. It's just unheard of. It's one of the darkest days of my career."

Jim Karpowitz, director of the Division of Wildlife Resources, said there were two separate incidents on Sunday, the second of which ended in a fatality.

The first incident took place before dawn when a bear swatted a tent. The DWR dispatched hunters and hounds to the scene to kill the bear, but conditions were hot and dry and the search was unsuccessful, Karpowitz said.

The second incident took place at about 11 p.m. The boy was alone in a section of the family's multi-room tent when the bear slashed the tent open and removed the boy in his sleeping bag.

Utah County Sheriff dispatch received a call at 11:10 p.m. from the Timpooneke campground host reporting the disappearance of the boy.

Lt. Yvette Rice of the Utah County Sheriff's department said at first, the incident appeared to be a kidnapping.

More than 30 law enforcement officers, four civilians and several bear hounds assisted in the search for the boy, checking nearby campgrounds and vehicles leaving the canyon.

At 1:35 a.m., the boy's remains were found 300-400 yards from the family's campsite.

Root said agents from the Division of Wildlife Resources and houndsmen from State Wildlife Resources shot the bear just after noon on Monday.

The remains of the bear will be evaluated to verify that the bear was indeed involved in the incident, likely using blood samples from teeth and paws, Root said.

Although it is scary and disturbing, Root said he hopes people will not live in fear following this incident.

"We want them to enjoy the outdoors," he said. "We want them to be more aware. Not every bear is going to be aggressive."

Copyright Brigham Young University 18 Jun 2007