Grizzly Bear Mauls Man to Death in Yellowstone Park
- Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:21am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — A killer grizzly is roaming Yellowstone National Park’s backcountry after mauling a man who apparently surprised the female bear and its cubs while hiking with his wife.
Officials closed remote campgrounds and trails near the scene of Wednesday’s attack close to Canyon Village, which sits in the middle of the sprawling park. The identity of the 57-year-old victim was being withheld until his family could be notified, said Yellowstone spokesman Al Nash.
The mauling occurred just after Yellowstone’s peak weekend for tourism. While lamenting the death, officials said they didn’t want to overemphasize the danger to visitors.
“This is a wild and natural park,” said Diane Shober, director of the state Wyoming Travel and Tourism agency. “At the same time, the likelihood of this happening again is small.”
It was the park’s first fatal grizzly mauling since 1986, but the third in the Yellowstone region in just over a year amid ever-growing numbers of grizzlies and tourists roaming the same wild landscape of scalding-hot geysers and sweeping mountain vistas.
The bear attacked Wednesday morning to defend against a perceived threat, park officials said. The wife of the victim called 911 on her cell phone and other hikers in the area responded to her cries for help.
Nash said the couple saw the bear twice on their hike. The first time, they continued hiking. The second time, the grizzly charged them and the man told his wife to run.
The woman told park officials she didn’t see the bear attack her husband. When the bear went for her, Nash said, she dropped to the ground. The grizzly lifted her off the ground by the day pack she was wearing, then dropped her. The woman may have had scrapes and bruises but didn’t seek medical attention.
Yellowstone and surrounding areas are home at least 600 grizzlies – and some say more than 1,000. Once rare to behold, grizzlies have become an almost routine cause of curious tourists lining up at Yellowstone’s roadsides at the height of summer season.
A grizzly bear roams free in Yellowstone National Park.
Those tourists have been flooding into Yellowstone in record numbers: 3.6 million last year, up 10 percent from 2009′s 3.3 million, also a record.
In June 2010, a grizzly just released after being tranquilized for study killed an Illinois man hiking outside Yellowstone’s east gate. Last July, a grizzly killed a Michigan man and injured two others in a nighttime campground rampage near Cooke City, Mont., northeast of the park.
Full-grown Yellowstone bears can stand 6 feet tall and top 600 pounds. They have been known to peel off a man’s face with a single swipe of their massive, clawed paws.
They are an omnivorous species with a diet of berries, elk, fish, moths, ants and even pine nuts. In 2009, a federal judge restored threatened species protections for Yellowstone grizzlies, citing beetle-caused declines in the numbers of whitebark pine trees in the region. The protections had been lifted in 2007.
Environmentalists have cited the beetle-caused decimation of the whitebark pine as putting grizzlies in greater danger of extinction because some bears rely on whitebark pine nuts. But experts caution that it sometimes can be impossible to determine the cause of bear attacks on humans.
Grizzlies require constant vigilance for tourists and park employees alike, said Caleb Platt, a service station manager at Canyon Village. Platt said he has had a handful of fairly close encounters with grizzlies while hiking in the park.
“When it’s close and you realize it does see you, it gets the heart racing,” Platt said.
Park officials worked to clear the area near Wednesday’s attack of people. A warning sign was posted on the trailhead, Nash said.
“It is in the backcountry of the park, and we have access challenges and limited communication,” he said.
Officials also issued recommendations for visitors to stay safe from backcountry bears: Stay on designated trails, hike in groups of three or more, and make noise in places where a grizzly could be lurking. Bear spray – pressurized hot-pepper residue in a can – is effective in stopping aggressive bears, they said.
A spokesman for the Wyoming state tourism agency doubted the attack would cause anybody to change their Yellowstone vacation plans.
“What has happened here hasn’t happened for a quarter century,” Chuck Coon said. “It is very sad, though, and I’m very sorry to hear of it.”
—
Associated Press writers Ben Neary and Mead Gruver contributed to this report from Cheyenne, Wyo.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 692 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 496 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 375 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 346 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 331 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 315 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 331 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 239 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 315 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (143)
elkslayer
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:01amI would love to hunt grizz with my bow
Report Post »BeingThere
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:56amLet’s see, bear spray or my 45? I think I’ll go with the 45! I love the way they say it hasn’t happened in a quarter century but in another part of the article it happened in June and July of 2010. On the other hand, the last time I went to the zoo they didn’t have straws for the drinks, when I asked why I was told it was dangerous for the animals. I said, “so the next time I go bear hunting all I need to bring is a straw?”
Report Post »cntrlfrk
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:54amBigfoot!
Yeti!
Sasquatch!
Michele Obama!
.
Report Post »toto
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:48amThis is another example of the consequences of overly aggressive environmentalism. If all hikers carried a weapon capable of taking down a bear, and it was used only as necessary for defense, bears would become more fearful of humans.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:44am.
Report Post »Yogi and Boo Boo have been up to no good…Wonder if that guy had a Pic a nic basket?…..
gabbygirl
Posted on July 8, 2011 at 10:15pmNot funny.
Report Post »Bunnie
Posted on July 9, 2011 at 12:48amActually it is pretty funny…
Report Post »alaskajohn
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:44amIt was irresponsible to continue after the first encounter. Sad though. I grew up in that area, not much margin for error in the back country.
Report Post »BuckleUpAmerica
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:40amLOL sorry Poverty.sucks. Just couldn’t resist :)
Report Post »Live 2276
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:40amThere has to be a balance, and when we artificially upset the balance you start to have these problems. I’m glad that, at least for now, they are not blaming the bear…but the truth is that bears have no natural predators other than Man. Beetles destroying trees will not have a significant negative impact on the bear population, we need to give these creatures the benefit of the doubt that they can overcome a natural loss of food source by utilizing another. The “nanny state” knows no bounds.
Also, if you see a bear and her cubs once…consider going in the other damn direction.
Report Post »benrnd
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:23am“There needs not be a balance…” – do not think animals in the wild are your friends or cute and want to petted with their young on the other side of you as you will probably die; stay in your steel surround and do not feed them fritos through the window.
Report Post »alaskajohn
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:39amSaw a mama and cubs couple of days ago, turned right around and went back to the truck. Didn’t wait for the second encounter.
Report Post »The Idiot
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:14amNow that would make to much sence. Sorry for the people but when you see danger act accordingly
We need to let a few of the loose in the house of reps. I dont think that they sence any danger at all.
Report Post »boxing4life
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:17pmThat’s right, don’t pi ss around with it.
Report Post »Evileye
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:38amBeen to Yellow Stone many times and have watched people walk right up to a buffalo.
Report Post »and start taking flash picture.
there are a lot of very stupid people out there.
This place is not a petting park
Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:15amEvileye
Report Post »Been to Yellow Stone many times and have watched people walk right up to a buffalo.
and start taking flash picture.
there are a lot of very stupid people out there.
This place is not a petting park
——————————————————————————————-
That’s what I was going to say. I’ve seen people in Yellowstone trying to walk up to bison to feed them or try to pet them. A lot of people are SO stupid. They must be the same mental giants that watch American Idol and Survivor while their children are out thugging around.
patriotwoman
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 1:41pmYep, some people are unbelievably stupid. It‘s really a wonder there haven’t been more fatalities in Yellowstone. People need to remember that they are *wild* animals and to stay away. Bear, elk and buffalo still obey their natural instincts. If they feel threatened they won’t hesitate to defend themselves.
Report Post »Tickdog
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:38amThe bear was simply saying, “This is my house, get out.”
Report Post »Barry
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:37amNote to everyone hiking in the wild; Carry a gun(s).
Report Post »creptoin_1n
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:47amdeagle 7shots, katana and or wakazashi (can cut a man in half easily)…thank you very much, no thats ok i’m good.
Report Post »glad to live in America!!
91AP
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:49amGriz is way too fast for a human, even with edged weapons. There’s excellent footage of their speed on various sites. And a wakazashi puts you right in their wheelhouse.
Report Post »Wigglesworth
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:15amor Bear Spray
Report Post »One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:37amSomeone needed to tell this poor dude it was Yellowstone he was hangin’ out at, not freaking Jellystone ;)
I mean, sure, RIP.. but most people clued in to the news and you would think people headed there would be or are aware there’s been now 4 deadly bear attacks at Yellowstone in 3 years
Yet they‘ve become more acclimated to humans as we have the dumb ’do as they want’ people who since Yogi and BooBoo were on freaking tv continue to ignore the “DON‘T FEED THE BEARS’ SIGNS EVERYWHERE.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:36amSorry the man died & sympathy for his family. But – he knew the risks & chose to hike. If you’re warned that bears roam free in an area, why would you choose to wander around in that area?
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:36amStuff happens, much to the chagrin of Utopian progressives.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:35amIndeed I will, among all you I pray.
Report Post »bellasbrat
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 12:56pmSee ya there PovertySucks!! : )
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:34amDon’t mess w/ mama grizzlies! Run Sarah, run!
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:32amWhen you enter the bear’s living room and appear to threaten her cubs you can expect to be treated harshly. Note to the Lamestream alleged Media: Remember this the next time you feel like saying something bad about Sarah’s family…Just sayin’
Report Post »BuckleUpAmerica
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:31amIf I die and go to heaven will poverty.sucks be there?
Report Post »marine249
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 3:23pmmaybe if you are a good boy?
Report Post »ShockNAwe
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:02pmLOL I thought the same thing….
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:30amDon’t mess w/ mother grizzlies!
Report Post »BuckleUpAmerica
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:29amBears protect their territory. They don’t put up with outsiders. Hmmmmm…..
Report Post »Richard Compton
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:29amYou cannot be too careful when hiking in those areas, you must make some noise as you walk so that the bears don’t get suprised, even making lots of noise as you hike there is no guarentee of safty. Your in the wild, a mother bear will not hesitate to protect her cubs if she thinks there is danger.
Report Post »mikelivi
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:21amPut this bear on the southern border and have him maul the “beaners”. Seriously though, its a terrible tragedy and previous posters are correct, if she percieves a threat to her cubs she will attack. I pray for the family.
Report Post »rickysteamboat2
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 12:41pmTotally agree. With all those Grizzlies why don’t more people carry a weapon. At the VERY least, spray.
Report Post »Bluefish49
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:25amIts sad, but when your in their world you take your chances.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:50amIf you surprise a female bear and its cubs, expect to be mauled! Remember you only have to out run the slowest person.
Report Post »Lonescrapper
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 3:16pmBetter idea: take your shotgun
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:24amIf a wild animal was to maul you to death today, would you go to Heaven?
Report Post »PingPongPing
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:42amIf a wild animal was to die today, would it go to Heaven?
Report Post »richard bensen
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:08amYes.That’s my plan
Report Post »mdcatc
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:13amYour ticket to heaven has little to nothing to do with how you die. It has everything to do with how you live. There is a phrase “I’d be willing to die for….(somebody, some cause, etc)“ but what we should be saying is ”I will stand up and live for…(somebody, some cause, etc)”
Report Post »tweetybird
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 12:22pm@ MDCATC…..great post.
Report Post »DKWagner
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:44amOn a serious note? YES.
Report Post »God’s letter to us (the Bible) says, to be absent from the body is to be with the Lord (in paradise/heaven) immediately. (Remember, the criminals on each side of Christ? Each of them found themselves in Paradise that day, but one was on the other side of a great divide awaiting judgement.) Which side of the great divide each soul (spiritual body) finds themselves depends on your relationship with God prior to your departure from the flesh. Our Father Jehovah is the God of the living, not the spiritually dead. I hope this answers your question correctly. For I am just a sinner that has repented and accepted forgiveness through the grace of Christ.
TheDebtWeAllPay
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:47am@poverty.sucks ok we get the point
Report Post »Jack007
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 4:20pmOnly if it didn’t rip your balls off
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 4:42pmCan anybody tell me why you can’t reply to someone??? I mean why have a button there is you can’t reply? Wake up Blaze!!
Report Post »patriotmj
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 5:44pmOnly because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. There are many roads in life but only one leads to Heaven- Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.(John14:6)Jesus loves all people-those that believe, those that don’t;those who love Him, those who hate Him. He died for all. He rose 3 days later and He is coming back. We all make decisions in life- choosing to accept that I was a sinner(we all are)(Romans3:23),and believe in my heart that Jesus died for me(Romans5:8) and rose again and confess what I believe has changed my life forever. I no longer fear death-however, I prefer not to be mauled by a wild animal or plummet to my death in an airplane. I’m just saying.
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on July 8, 2011 at 5:12pmActs 2:38!
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:22amI’ve got bears where I live–ya gotta respect ‘em and avoid ’em.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:40amIt was a MOMMA GRIZZLY, we tried to warn the Taxed Enough Already party that they were “playing with Bruins,” and NOW there is No Way Sarah can HIDE from Blame with MORE DEAD. Not This Time!
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:42amBlaze,
What is a “yellow” “stone” park? Another headline FAIL
Report Post »llotus
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 2:42pmMoneechne` ……….take a hike. Lotus.
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:57amThe bear was being a bear. Killer is what they do when you mess with their young. This poor sap was at the wrong place at the wrong time. So what do we do…we shoot the bear. I’m no tree-hugger, but let’s use some common sense. Its unfortunate, but it happens. Its called LIFE.
Report Post »ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 1:01pmI blame Sarah Palin, that _itch!
Report Post »UPSETVET
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 5:30pmHey, it‘s the people that have invaded the bear’s territory, not the bear’s invading the peoples teriitory. The grizzle mother just did what comes natural, she perceived a possible threat and protected her cubs at all cost. Sorry about the loss of a human life but when a person ventures into a wild enviorment all precautions sometime are not enough. Wild animals are unpredictable but should not be punished for acting normally.
Report Post »avenger
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 6:28pmcarry a .357 mag or a .44mag and bear problem solved….
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 6:43pmMaulemall…
Report Post »tcseacliff
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 8:47pmthey won’t kill you as long as you give up the pick-i-nic basket! right Mr. ranger?
Report Post »