Woman's fingers bitten off by bear

A bear bit off a woman's fingers at a zoo after she ignored barriers and warning signs to try to feed the animal, police said today.

The Lincoln Park Zoo in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, closed after the incident Friday morning.

Police said the 47-year-old woman lost a thumb and a forefinger, and two other fingers were partially severed.

The woman's boyfriend was bitten as he tried to pry the bear's mouth off her hand, but he didn't lose any fingers.

A mayor's office statement said alcohol played a factor.

It is unclear which of two Asiatic black bears bit the woman when she put her hand through their enclosure's fence. Police said the bears probably wouldn't be put down.