(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
BY MEGAN NOE
ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY
A grizzly bear killed a 57-year-old man Wednesday in the first fatal attack in Yellowstone National Park in 25 years. Rangers believe the man and his wife caught a mother bear and her cubs by surprise on a backwoods trail.
NBC’s Today reports the man told his wife to run before being attacked.
“After the bear mauled the man, the animal went after his wife who was lying down, playing dead. ‘She was wearing a backpack of sorts, a day pack, and the bear grabbed her in some fashion, lifted her up off the ground and dropped her and then ran off.’”
Other hikers heard the woman’s cries and called 911. She survived with minor injuries. More than 600 grizzlies live in Yellowstone, and seeing one isn’t unusual for park visitors. The LA Times notes...
“Wildlife researchers in the upper Rockies have theorized that with declining grizzly habitat and fewer food sources, bears might become more prone to attack humans. But Wednesday's incident appeared to be an act of defense by the bear, which fled with her cubs.”
And ABC News adds-- attacks remain rare.
“It was the third grizzly bear attack in the Yellowstone region in the past year, and it happened during a peak time for tourists in the national park. This fatal attack is unprecedented here. ‘This is the first time that there has been a bear-caused human fatality in Yellowstone in 25 years.’”
A warning sign was posted at the head of the trail, and rangers have shut off the back-country area. Still, CNN has these ranger tips for staying safe.
“Park visitors are advised to hike in groups of three or more people and to be alert for bears and make noise in blind spots...Bear pepper spray has been effective in stopping aggressive bears.”
The bear remains on the loose in the park, and will likely remain so if investigations confirm it was defending its cubs.
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