Current:Home > FinanceMontana man mauled by a grizzly bear gets to go home after five weeks in the hospital. -Secure Horizon Growth
Montana man mauled by a grizzly bear gets to go home after five weeks in the hospital.
View
Date:2025-04-19 05:19:39
A hunter who was attacked by a grizzly bear in Montana's Custer Gallatin National Forest will go home after five weeks in the hospital where he received jaw reconstruction surgery, in addition to other procedures, the hunter, his family and doctors said at a news conference.
Rudy Noorlander, 61, was tracking deer with a group of people on Sept. 8, near Yellow Mule Trail about 50 miles southwest of Bozeman, Montana, when a grizzly bear attacked him. According to the Associated Press, the grizzly bear bit off part of his jaw.
First responders arrived in a helicopter and transferred him to a nearby hospital in Bozeman, Montana. After emergency surgery, he moved to the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City.
Noorlander's daughter, Katelynn Davis, spoke for him at a University of Utah Hospital news conference. According to Davis, Noorlander was prepared with a gun and bear spray but needed more time to stop the bear from attacking.
She explained that the only thing that helped Noorlander was that he was with a group that could scare the grizzly bear away.
Recent bear attack:73-year-old woman attacked by bear near US-Canada border, officials say; park site closed
Jaw reconstruction surgery
Dr. Hillary McCrary, a surgeon at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Utah, was present for the news conference. She explained that because his lower jaw and larynx sustained several injuries in the attack, Noorlander underwent many surgeries to correct his jaw, including a reconstruction surgery.
"We took a portion of his fibula bone and some of his skin with an artery and a vein and hooked that to an artery and a vein in the neck," said Dr. McCrary." And then my partner Dr. Cannon took some of the skin's soft tissue and transplanted that to the head and neck to reconstruct his lower lip."
Dr. Mccrary commended Noorlander on his optimism through his surgeries and recovery journey, noting that Noorlander wants to fight through his recovery.
Plans for the future
Noorlander will be able to speak again; however, because of the intensive surgery and trauma to the area around his vocal folds, there is no specific timeline for when Noorlander will fully talk again, according to Dr.McCarthy.
During the news conference, Noorlander answered questions by writing on a whiteboard. Davis was present at the press conference to speak on his behalf.
"The things that give him hope and motivation to get through this is family and life," said Davis. "My job proves that most people are good, and I can't wait to get back to it and win round two."
According to Davis, Noorlander plans to return to work and where the attack happened. It was not his first encounter with a bear; he had been walking the trail years before the attack.
Davis explained that her father would like to write a book one day and jokingly admits that he would like Cole Hauser from the hit TV show "Yellowstone" to play him in a movie.
"Only by the hands of God am I here; I've had a lot of inspirations, and I felt the need to share my story with others," said Noorlander. "Believe it or not, I believe this attack answered my prayers. And, potentially, it can help someone from going through something similar."
veryGood! (34441)
Related
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Family of Kaylee Gain, teen injured in fight, says she now has trouble speaking, walking
- From closures to unique learning, see how schools are handling the total solar eclipse
- Alabama lawmakers advance a bill that would revamp the state ethics law
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Who is Don Hankey, the billionaire whose insurance firm provided Trump a $175 million bond payment?
- 'Oppenheimer' premieres in Japan: Here's how Hiroshima survivors, Japanese residents reacted
- Final three defendants plead guilty in Minnesota murder case taken away from local prosecutor
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- American Nightmare Subject Denise Huskins Tells All on Her Abduction
Ranking
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Bob Uecker begins 54th season broadcasting Brewers games after turning 90 earlier this year
- Yes, we’re divided. But new AP-NORC poll shows Americans still agree on most core American values
- Man pleads guilty to attacking Muslim state representative in Connecticut
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- A police dog’s death has Kansas poised to increase penalties for killing K-9 officers
- This mob-era casino is closing on the Las Vegas Strip. Here’s some big moments in its 67 years
- Video shows suspect trying to outrun police on horseback before being caught
Recommendation
Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
Bird Flu Is Picking its Way Across the Animal Kingdom—and Climate Change Could Be Making it Worse
North Carolina redistricting attorney who fell short in federal confirmation fight dies at 69
National Teacher of the Year helps diverse students and their families thrive in rural Tennessee
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Mega Millions winning numbers in April 2 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $67 million
The Daily Money: New questions about Trump stock
YMCOIN Trade Volume and Market Listings