ANCHORAGE, Alaska _ A person was reported fatally mauled by a bear Monday morning on Admiralty Island in Southeast Alaska, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Troopers got a report of a mauling at Greens Creek Mine at 8:44 a.m.
Brown bears are the only type of bear on Admiralty Island, said Ken Marsh, spokesman for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Marsh said the reported fatality had not yet been confirmed. Staff members from the agency's Douglas office were en route, he said.
"If there is a fatality as reported, there would be the recovery of the individual, we would try to find the bear and put it down," Marsh said.
There would also be "an overall investigation to try and determine what led to this tragic mauling," Marsh said.
Greens Creek Mine primarily produces silver, according to the company's website.
The victim was a contracted employee with the mine, according to a statement from Mike Satre, spokesman for Hecla Greens Creek Mining Co.
The mauling happened at a "remote drill site" on the mine's surface that is accessible only by helicopter, Satre said.
"Mine personnel are securing the area and working with state and federal authorities to investigate the situation," Satre said.
The person's identity is being withheld pending family notification, Satre said.
Alaska Wildlife Troopers were also responding, troopers said.
