A bear attacked a horse pasture in Sävar, near Umeå, on Easter Sunday, resulting in the death of a foal that was eaten. Wilma Gerklev is the owner of the foal and the mare Cubata. According to multiple reports, the mare Cubata gave birth to the foal prematurely due to the stress from the bear attack.
Aftonbladet reports that the foal was near full-term, and the mare Cubata survived without physical injuries. According to Aftonbladet, Wilma Gerklev described initially thinking it was a joke when she heard about the incident, and she called her mother, who said that Cubata had foaled and something had eaten the foal. The more her mother described the scene, the more she understood it was not a joke, as Gerklev told Aftonbladet.
I first thought it was a joke.
She also noted that horses can give birth prematurely if they become extremely stressed, calling it a survival instinct, and lamented that the foal might have survived if it had not been attacked. The County Administrative Board assessed that it was a bear attack based on bite marks and injuries, according to multiple reports. Samples have been sent for DNA analysis to confirm the bear attack, though the specific evidence, such as bite marks or DNA results, that conclusively confirms the bear as the attacker remains unknown.
Authorities have not detailed what measures are being taken to prevent future bear attacks in the area, and the current condition and location of the bear involved in the attack are also unclear. After the incident, the horses have been moved closer to the farm, multiple reports indicate. According to Aftonbladet, Wilma Gerklev described that the last time a bear was seen in the area was 16 years ago, and they had never had to worry about this before.
I called my mom, and she said that Cubata had foaled – and that something had eaten the foal.
How common bear attacks on livestock are in the Västerbotten region is not specified in available reports. This is the second attack on the mare Cubata in three years; she was previously injured in a dog attack, according to multiple reports. The foal was intended to become a trotting horse, multiple reports indicate.
According to Aftonbladet, Wilma Gerklev described the situation as feeling completely insane, and she reflected that what has happened has happened, with not much more to do. She added that the horses now eat, are social, and are physically well, though it was a bit tense in the beginning, likely a reflection of how one feels oneself.
The more she described the scene, the more I understood that it was not a joke.
Horses can give birth prematurely if they become extremely stressed. It is a survival instinct.
The tragic thing is that it might have survived if it just hadn't been attacked.
The last time we saw a bear was 16 years ago. We have never had to worry about this.
What has happened has happened. There is not much more to do.
They eat, are social, and are physically well. It was a bit tense in the beginning, but that is probably a reflection of how one feels oneself.