The foal was discovered eaten in the pasture on Easter Sunday, according to the County Administrative Board. The owner's mother made the grim find. The suspected bear attack occurred in Sävar, a locality north of Umeå in Västerbotten County.
The mare, named Cubata, gave birth prematurely because of extreme stress from the suspected bear intrusion. The foal was near full-term. Cubata survived the ordeal without physical injuries.
While weather conditions prevented securing clear traces of the animal, bite marks and injuries observed clearly point to a bear as the perpetrator. Samples from the scene have been sent for DNA analysis to confirm the species responsible. The last time a bear was seen in this area was 16 years ago.
This attack marks the second traumatic incident for Cubata in three years. She was previously severely injured in a dog attack that ended her career as a trotting horse. The foal that died was intended to follow in her hoofsteps and become a trotting horse itself.
Following the incident, the horses have been moved closer to the farm for safety. They have recovered fairly well since the attack.
Local radio station P4 Västerbotten was first to report on the suspected bear attack. The DNA analysis results that could definitively identify the animal species remain pending. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, including how the bear entered the pasture and whether any preventive measures were in place. The community in Sävar has expressed concern about wildlife safety, given the rarity of such incidents in the area.