"Played Dead to Survive": Pregnant Woman in China Dramatically Survives Bear Attack

Seriously Injured in Black Bear Attack, She Survives by Playing Dead
Undergoes Six-hour Surgery at 14 Weeks Pregnant... Fetus Remains Safe

In China, a pregnant woman has drawn widespread attention after surviving a dramatic bear attack by playing dead to escape the crisis.

Pregnant Woman Survives Bear Attack in China. Geukmok Newspaper

According to the Chinese local media outlet Geukmok Newspaper on October 1, a pregnant woman surnamed Xiaoqing (pseudonym) was attacked by a black bear on September 7 while herding cattle home in Yushu, Qinghai Province. As she turned around, the bear suddenly charged at her, roaring, and launched a brutal attack, biting her head and face.

Her injuries were so severe that blood was flowing from her right eye and left ear, but she instinctively dropped to the ground, held her breath, and pretended to be dead, barely managing to survive. The bear prodded her arm with its claws, and when she did not react, it left the scene.

At the time, she had lost vision in her right eye and her face was severely swollen. With the help of nearby shepherds, she managed to return to her home, which was several hundred meters away. Living a pastoral life in a rural area, she could not receive proper treatment at the nearest hospital, so she and her husband traveled for 40 hours by land to reach the emergency room at Xi'an People's Hospital. Although flying would have been faster, they chose to travel by land out of concern that changes in air pressure could pose a risk to the fetus.

Six-hour Major Surgery at 14 Weeks Pregnant... The Fetus Survives

Medical examination revealed multiple open wounds on her head and a severe injury to her right eye. Her left auricle and external auditory canal were torn, and her eardrum was ruptured, leaving her in critical condition. At the time, she was 14 weeks pregnant. Despite the risks to the fetus, the medical team performed a major surgery lasting six hours.

She was moved to the intensive care unit immediately after surgery and was discharged on the 18th, regaining stability. Her recovery has been relatively smooth, and the fetus was unharmed, but it has been reported that vision in her right eye is unlikely to recover.

Xiaoqing's husband said that, according to government policy, over 90% of the medical expenses would be reimbursed through government support, but he is struggling with the ongoing cost of living and follow-up treatments while staying in Xi'an. Earning 200 yuan (about 39,000 won) a day and making a living through livestock farming with his wife, he said, "Both my wife and child survived under the bear's claws," and added, "I will protect our child to the end."