Arm bitten by a black bear while feeding it... The surprising choice of a man who pulled out a pocket knife

Bitten on the arm by an Asian black bear while feeding
Uncertain if the severed arm can be reattached

Photo of a black bear unrelated to the article content [Photo by Pixabay]

A man who was bitten by a bear while volunteering cut off his own arm to escape.

On the 26th, major foreign media reported on a horrific accident that occurred at a zoo in Thailand. Mr. Stephan Claudio Speconya (32), who works as a volunteer feeding animals, reached into the enclosure of an Asian black bear to feed it and was bitten on the arm by the bear.

Speconya, bitten on the arm, tried with all his strength to escape, but when the bear would not let him go, he ultimately cut off his own arm with a pocket knife he was carrying. Afterwards, he was transported by witnesses to a nearby Chiang Dao Hospital for treatment. Local media reported that he would undergo surgery, but local surgeons said it was uncertain whether the severed arm could be reattached.

Local residents who heard the story expressed admiration for Speconya, who did not harm the bear despite the terrible situation. Chonticha said, "He chose to amputate his own arm rather than harm the animal," praising him.

The Asian black bear that bit Speconya’s arm was reportedly rescued from the forest in 2013. The Asian black bear is a species facing extinction due to the destruction of forest ecosystems caused by poaching and other factors. Normally, they have a strong fear of humans, but they become aggressive when they feel threatened. In November of last year, two gas drilling workers were seriously injured by an Asian black bear, with one suffering exposed skull injuries.