JERROLD SCHARNINGHAUSEN, PH.D.
Workplace Safety Division
Directorate of Analysis and Prevention
U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center
Fort Rucker, Alabama
From fiscal to , the Army experienced 54 non-vehicle wildlife-related mishaps, resulting in one fatality, 541 lost duty days and over $10.4 million in medical costs. While much attention in Army safety programs focuses on vehicle operations, weapons handling and industrial hazards, preventable wildlife encounters continue to directly degrade unit readiness and mission capability. These incidents span the full spectrum of operations — from routine maintenance activities in motor pools to field training exercises in remote wilderness areas. The data reveals a sobering reality: Soldiers face animal-related hazards in virtually every operational environment, and the consequences can be severe.
This article examines the trend of these mishaps to provide actionable recommendations for commanders and safety officers to implement comprehensive prevention and mitigation strategies. The analysis is based on validated mishap data reported through the Army Safety Management Information System 2.0 (ASMIS 2.0) and evaluated in conjunction with Army Regulation 385-40 (mishap classification standards) and Department of the Army Pamphlet 385-40 (mishap investigation procedures).
Severe Hazards
While most animal encounters result in minor injuries, specific wildlife interactions demonstrate the potential for catastrophic outcomes. Since fiscal , there have been two separate bear attacks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska. On , two Soldiers were establishing a land navigation training course when they encountered a bear. One Soldier sustained severe head and brain injuries and facial wounds. He later died at JBER Hospital. The second Soldier received minor cuts on his back and was treated and released. A second attack occurred , on a land navigation course, injuring two Soldiers. A major difference between this and the first attack was that both Soldiers were equipped with bear spray and were able to drive away the animal. As both incidents dealt with operational training and not a bivouac site, the attacks likely resulted from the bears being surprised.
Coyotes were responsible for the largest single wildlife attack event. On , at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in Louisiana, 13 Soldiers were bitten by multiple coyotes over two days during the early morning hours before sunrise. Injuries included bites to the face, arms, chest, ears, hands and legs. All 13 Soldiers received rabies vaccinations and 14 days of quarters, resulting in a medical cost of $492,000. The coyotes exhibited unusually aggressive behavior that may have been caused by improper trash or food storage, loss of natural fear of man, a perceived threat to pups in the den, illness or disease.
While bears and coyotes represent the most severe individual encounters, snakebites present a more persistent, seasonal threat to ground operations. From fiscal to , seven snakebites resulted in eight days of hospitalization, 19 days of quarters and 45 days of restricted duty, costing the Army an average of $18,600 per incident. Strikes primarily affected the lower extremities, but three cases involved the hands, fingers and lower arms. Two instances involved intentional snake handling. These bites primarily occurred during the daytime hours in vegetated and swampy areas and land navigation courses. Southern installations are particularly vulnerable to snake activity during the summer months of June through August.
High-Frequency Hazards
Arthropod-related incidents represent an ongoing, manageable risk but dominate the data. Spiders, ticks, bees, wasps, ants and scorpions comprised 71% of all incidents. Fiscal showed a concerning upward trend, with a 31% increase in incidents compared to fiscal . The primary hazard is envenomation and allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). Anyone suffering from an allergy to venom or receiving multiple stings can progress to respiratory failure and death without prompt medical treatment. These incidents primarily occurred during field training exercises, outdoor maintenance and grounds operations, entry into abandoned buildings or rarely used structures, and tactical operations in dense vegetation.
Specific arthropod risks include:
- Bee, wasp and hornet stings: The most common hazard (29.4% of arthropod incidents) with moderate severity. These attacks typically occur during outdoor maintenance, field training and organizational activities. Allergic reactions are the primary driver of medical costs, averaging 0.87 days of lost duty time per incident.
- Fire ant attacks: The most severe hazard (11.8% of arthropod incidents) with the second-highest average cost per incident at $9,833. Five of the six cases required hospitalization, and one case resulted in sepsis requiring emergency medical evacuation. These attacks demonstrate that even common insects can cause life-threatening complications in allergic individuals.
- Tick-borne diseases: Tick bites are an emerging concern (7.8% of arthropod incidents). Documented cases include Lyme disease and alpha-gal syndrome, which is a severe red meat allergy caused by a tick bite. One alpha-gal syndrome case resulted in a cost of $165,200, permanent dietary restrictions and potential career implications. The true cost of tick bites is likely underestimated due to delayed symptom onset, and chronic conditions may require ongoing treatment and medical board evaluations.
Data and Trend Analysis
A review of the data reveals critical shifts in mishap frequency. Fiscal experienced a 31% increase in wildlife mishaps compared to fiscal (19 vs. 13 incidents), representing the highest annual count in the five-year period. Potential contributing factors include an increased field training tempo, expanded use of remote training areas with higher wildlife populations, seasonal environmental factors and enhanced reporting compliance.
Cost and severity also fluctuate significantly by year. Fiscal had the highest total costs ($9.7 million) due to the bear-related fatality, while fiscal saw the lowest costs ($31,000) despite 13 incidents. However, fiscal shows a concerning severity trend, already recording 38 total lost duty days from just five incidents through May. This suggests the potential for a high-severity year if the trend continues.
Conclusion
Wildlife mishaps represent a significant and growing occupational hazard. Leaders and safety officers must take proactive steps to address wildlife hazards through comprehensive risk management, enhanced training, improved personal protective equipment and installation-level wildlife management plans. Leaders and safety officers should implement the following risk assessment integrations:
- Standardize documentation: Include animal and wildlife hazards in risk management worksheets for all field operations.
- Conduct pre-assessments: Execute environmental hazard assessments before field training.
- Map local hazards: Develop geographic risk mapping for installations to identify high-risk training areas. Alaska (bear), Louisiana/JRTC (coyote), the southeastern U.S. (snakes) and the northeastern U.S. (ticks) require installation-specific programs.
- Equip and educate: Ensure universal EpiPen availability and allergy screening. Educate Soldiers to prevent behavioral risks like intentional snake handling.
- Apply seasonal risk considerations:
- Spring: Bear activity increases, snake emergence.
- Summer: Peak insect activity, snake activity high (75% of snake encounters occur June-August).
- Fall: Rutting season for deer and elk (increased aggression), bear pre-hibernation feeding.
- Winter: Reduced risk in most areas, but cold-stressed wildlife may be unpredictable.
The data clearly demonstrates that wildlife mishaps are preventable through targeted interventions focused on high-risk activities, locations and wildlife species. By implementing the recommendations outlined in this article, Army leaders and safety professionals can significantly reduce wildlife-related injuries, protect personnel health and readiness, and demonstrate effective stewardship of Army resources.
Author’s note: The data analyzed in this article consist of all finalized mishap reports involving animals from FY22 through . The data excludes all motor vehicle incidents and the two Soldiers attacked by a brown bear at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on , as the investigation was still ongoing at the time this article was written.