Zookeeper famous for kissing bears has arm ripped off by beast years after losing leg in another attack

NewsWorld News A ZOOKEEPER famous for kissing bears is fighting for her life after a captive grizzly tore her arm clean off – following a similar attack where she lost her leg. Vera Blishch, 62, is in critical condition in Russia after a routine bear feeding exercise cost her a second limb to the jaws of the animal. Vera Blisch was known for her fearlessness with these dangerous predators. Credit: The Siberian Times A medium-sized Himalayan black bear can be as tall as an adult human when standing Credit: The Siberian Times The horrifying incident occurred when Blishch was feeding a Himalayan black bear at the Dora Park zoo in Ussuriysk. The animal tragically tore her arm off. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Blishch was found unconscious after the attack. It is understood the trainer had raised the bear from a cub. Blishch earned a reputation as a conservationist campaigning to save animals from torrential flooding in the Russian Far East Credit: East2West Vera Blishch with a Himalayan bear cub during her years as an animal trainer Credit: East2West This is not the first time Blishch has been involved in a bear attack. Six years ago, she lost a leg and a finger in another bear mauling. Despite the most recent ordeal, she pleaded from her hospital bed that the Himalayan black bear should not be put down. Taking the entirety of blame, she said: “There is definitely no guilt to the animal.” Most read in The Sun Blishch famed in Russia for being fearless with the carnivorous animals and has worked with them for more than 30 years. She gained status as a conservationist, highly regarded for her campaign to save animals that were impacted by severe flooding in the far east of Russia in 2015. She said: “Even by just kissing the bear now I might lose my head within a split second. “To work with a bear, you must have a special feeling. We say it’s a feeling sent by God. “It’s very dangerous to do this.” Dave Garsheli, an international bear conservation expert told The Sun: “Normally, captive bears are less dangerous because they have become habituated to people. “Normally, if one raises a bear as a cub, it would be quite tame, and get attached to the person, almost akin to a dog. “But something must have gone awry in this case.” 1 comment1