Police: Woman bitten by bear was drunk

MANITOWOC - Two people who Manitowoc police say provoked a bear at a zoo had blood alcohol levels well over the legal limit for driving. A woman lost some of her fingers after the bear bit her. It happened late last Friday morning at Lincoln Park Zoo in Manitowoc.

Police say on Friday morning two people: Tracy Weiler and her boyfriend Lawrence Bosworth took Weiler's three-year-old granddaughter to the zoo.

The Manitowoc Police Department says the intoxicated pair violated many signs and got too close to the bear cage that morning.

Police say the woman was feeding the bear Bugles and probably had salt on her hand. They say the bear was licking her fingers, probably thinking they were more food, and bit down.

Police were not available for an on-camera interview, but say Weiler received massive injuries to her right hand: she lost her thumb and forefinger completely, and most of her middle and ring fingers.

Both Weiler and Bosworth were transported to hospitals, police say Weiler's granddaughter was never in jeopardy.

Police also say Bosworth had a blood alcohol level of .26, more than three times the legal driving limit, and Weiler's blood alcohol level was .16, twice the legal limit.

Both have been given citations and fined $681 each for violating park rules.

Police say because of her injuries, Weiler will remember what happened for the rest of her life.

Police say Bosworth was on probation for misdemeanor charges and violated his probation by drinking alcohol. He was told to report to his probation agents on Monday, which he failed to do. So Thursday morning, he was arrested and is now at the Manitowoc County Jail on a probation hold.

FOX 11 was unable to reach Weiler for comment on this story.