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Officials: Florida Woman Just Attacked by One Bear, Not Five

A central Florida woman was recovering Sunday after being attacked by a bear the night before.
Image: A bear digs through a garbage can in Florida in 2008.
A bear digs through a garbage can in Florida in 2008.Florida Fish and Wildlife

A central Florida woman was released from the hospital Sunday after initial reports said she was attacked by five bears the night before.

Officials later said that just one bear was responsible for her injuries.

The attack happened just before 8 p.m. Saturday at a home in Seminole County, Fla., authorities told NBC's Orlando affiliate WESH.

The woman, identified as Terri Frana, a had left her garage door open, officials with the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) told the station.

When she returned to take out the trash five bears attacked and dragged her outside, the station first reported.

But the FWC later changed the bear tale:

"Early media reports that Ms. Frana was attacked by several bears are inaccurate," said wildlife commission spokesman Greg Workman. "There were several bears observed near the area, but one bear is responsible for her injuries."

She was taken to South Seminole hospital with injuries to her leg and face, and released on Sunday.

"The FWC has positioned several traps in the area and is reaching out to residents of this neighborhood to discuss actions they can take to avoid encounters with bears," Workman said.

Sunshine State wildlife officials just issued a warning that hibernation season has ended so the public should expect to see more bears.

— Hasani Gittens