A bear in Yellowstone National Park inflicted serious—but non-life-threatening—injuries to a 29-year-old hiker on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 16. This marks the first bear attack at Yellowstone since 2019.
The man was hiking alone along the Turbid Lake Trail, around 2.5 miles from the popular Pelican Valley Trailhead in the Pelican Valley Bear Management Area. He encountered what he believed to be a black bear and deployed bear spray when the animal approached him. The hiker escaped, but not before sustaining injuries to his chest and left arm.
Grizzly Bear the Likely Culprit, Staff Says
The attack is currently under investigation by park service officials, who believe the animal was more likely a grizzly bear than a black bear. “The location, size, and behavior of the described bear suggest it might have been a grizzly bear,” officials from the National Parks Service Public Affairs Office said in an online statement.
While black bears are far more common in Yellowstone, they are also less likely to attack humans than the larger grizzly bear. Authorities plan to determine what type of bear was involved in the attack through a DNA sample. No further action is expected to take place regardless of the type of bear.
“Because this incident was a defensive reaction by the bear during a surprise encounter,” reads the press release, “the park will not be taking any management action against the bear.” Instead, the Turbid Lake Trail where the incident took place will remain closed until further notice.
Incident Follows Recent Warnings
The attack comes just a few short weeks after Yellowstone officials warned visitors about the increased grizzly bear threat due to internal research operations. Trained professionals have been catching and releasing grizzly bears throughout Yellowstone for brief research opportunities. The program is expected to last until October 15.
The 29-year-old hiker was able to walk on his own with support from National Park Service medics. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
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