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The 15-year-old American boy was woken up by a 400-pound bear that had entered the campsite for emotionally-troubled youths.

When the boy tried to leave his tent, the bear bit him on the arm, Alaska policeman Adam Benson told the Associated Press news agency.

According to Mr Benson, the boy then decided to fight back.

He delivered several punches to the bear, using his uninjured arm. But when he attempted to flee the animal for the second time, it bit him again, now leaving puncture wounds below the ribs.

Once again, the boy attacked the bear with his fists.

Momentarily punch-drunk, the beast relinquished its hold.

The boy swiftly made his exit, pursued by the bear.

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DELTONA, Fla. -- An alligator dragged a 12-year-old swimmer underwater in a lake, but the boy punched the reptile and swam safely to shore.

Malcolm Locke was treated for cuts and scrapes that were not considered life threatening.

He was bit while swimming Wednesday in Lake Diana, near his grandmother's house just north of Orlando.

He saw the alligator's tail first, he said. "It was coming right at me," he told NBC's "Today" show Thursday.

Malcolm, who is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, tried to swim away, but the alligator, which was 4 to 6 feet long, attacked his head and pulled him under water, officials said.

"It took a bite out of my head and a big chunk out of my ear," Malcolm said.

He punched the alligator, and "it just squirmed away," he said. He swam to shore, and a neighbor drove him to a hospital.

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Anyone who thinks America's kids are getting soft better not try to pick a fight with one.

[ May 25, 2004, 02:45 PM: Message edited by: sndrake ]
 

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Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
 
And here I thought Tomb Raider 2 had no redeeming value (she punches a shark in that movie)
 

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Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
 
PETA is suing both Juveniles, asking "Why can't we all just get along."
 

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Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
 
Adults aren't so lucky, though.
 

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Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 
Jon Boy,

I don't think luck had much to do with what happened to this adult:

quote:

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WEEDSPORT, N.Y. (AP) - A woman lost part of her arm when she reached into the cage of two Chinese Himalayan bears.

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Posted by Richard Berg (Member # 133) on :
 
The BBC article omits the other side of the story. The boy was part of one of those "at-risk" programs. Fine, some people's childhoods suck, it's good if they can get away from it all. Anyway, he was told repeatedly about the dangers bears pose in the Alaskan wilderness, but nevertheless snuck food into his tent and left it lying open during the night. Balls or no, his brains are right up there with the NY woman.

And so, of course, they track down and kill the bear. Darwin would not be proud
 

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Posted by Tstorm (Member # 1871) on :
 
I was attacked by an alligator today. Right here in Kansas. No, seriously.

Some kid brought his toy alligator into the store, then proceeded to swing the darned thing at me.
 

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Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 
Richard Berg:

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Anyway, he was told repeatedly about the dangers bears pose in the Alaskan wilderness, but nevertheless snuck food into his tent and left it lying open during the night.

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Benson said the counselors the evening before had checked on the campers to make sure there was no food left out to attract bears.

The boy had some Rice-A-Roni he wanted to keep.

"He said, 'No, don't take this. I'm going to eat this in a little while.' Apparently he fell asleep before he got it done. There was some food left at the foot of his tent," Benson said.

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