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First Bear Attack in 4 Years at Yellowstone National Park
A 29-year-old man has been attacked by a bear in Yellowstone National Park, the first bear attack in four years. The man is currently recovering from significant but non-life-threatening injuries to his chest and left arm sustained during the bear attack. The solo hiker was attacked on Tuesday, September 16th, while walking on the Turbid Lake Trail located northeast of Mary Bay in Yellowstone Lake, approximately 2.5 miles from the Pelican Valley Trailhead in the Pelican Valley Bear Management Area. There, the hiker encountered the bear and began to deploy bear spray to try to deter the bear, but was then attacked and sustained significant injuries. National Park Service medics responded to the incident and walked out with the hiker, who was then transported to the Lake Meical Clinic in a park ambulance. After which, he was flown out to a nearby hospital for treatment.
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While the hiker informed park officials he thought the bear was a black bear, the location, size, and behavior of the bear suggest that it might have been a grizzly. NPS Bear management staff will attempt to confirm the species through DNA analysis, if possible. Because this incident was a defensive reaction by the bear during a surprise encounter, the park will not take any action against the bear.
“The Turbid Lake Trail is closed until further notice,” officials said. “Because this incident was a defensive reaction by the bear during a surprise encounter, the park will not be taking any management action against the bear.”
To keep yourself safe while enjoying the Great Outdoors this Fall, keep these tips from the National Park Service in Mind
Be bear aware to help avoid surprise bear encounters
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
- Be alert. See the bear before you surprise it. Watch for fresh tracks, scat, and feeding sites (signs of digging, rolled rocks, torn up logs, ripped open ant hills).
- Make noise.
- Hike in groups of three or more people.
- Stay 100 yards (91 meters) away from bears at all times.
- Stay on trail and don’t hike at dawn, dusk, or at night, when grizzlies are most active.
- Don’t run from a bear.
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