Hiker Snaps Pictures of Grizzly Bear Just Before It Mauls Him to Death
- Posted on August 26, 2012 at 2:45pm by
Liz Klimas
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A hiker captured images of a grizzly bear grazing. The bear in the photos was later identified by investigators as the one who killed him. (File Photo: Shutterstock.com)
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (TheBlaze/AP) — A hiker in Alaska‘s Denali National Park photographed a grizzly bear for at least eight minutes before the bear mauled and killed him in the first fatal attack in the park’s history, officials said Saturday.
Investigators have recovered the camera and looked at the photographs, which show the bear grazing and not acting aggressively before the attack, Denali Park Superintendent Paul Anderson said.
The hiker was identified late Saturday as Richard White, 49, of San Diego. He was backpacking alone along the Toklat River on Friday afternoon when he came within 50 yards of the bear, far closer than the quarter-mile of separation required by park rules, officials said.
“They show the bear grazing in the willows, not acting aggressive in any form or manner during that period of time,” Anderson said of the photos, which have not been released.
Officials learned of the attack after hikers stumbled upon an abandoned backpack along the river about three miles from a rest area on Friday afternoon. The hikers also spotted torn clothing and blood. They immediately hiked back and alerted staff park.

White's fatal mauling is reported to be the first in Denali National Park on record. (Image: Google Maps)
Rangers in a helicopter spotted a large male grizzly bear sitting on the hiker’s remains, which they called a “food cache” in the underbrush about 100 to 150 yards from the site of the attack on Friday.
A state trooper shot and killed the male bear on Saturday. Investigators examined the bear’s stomach contents, looked at White’s photos and used other tests Saturday evening to confirm that it was the animal that killed White, park officials said in a statement Saturday night.
White’s remains were recovered Saturday evening and were being sent to the medical examiner in Anchorage.
There‘s no indication that the man’s death was the result of anything other than a bear attack, investigators said, adding that it‘s the first known fatal mauling in the park’s nearly century-long history.
“Over the years, and especially since the 1970s, the park has worked very diligently to minimize the conflict between humans and wildlife in the park,” Anderson said. “We have some of the most stringent human-wildlife conflict regulations in the National Park system, and I think those are largely responsible for the fact that there hasn’t been a fatal attack.”
The Anchorage Daily News points out this is the first bear attack in Alaska since 2005.
White had been in the Denali backcountry for three nights and may have recently hiked in other areas of Alaska, park officials said. It was unknown if he had previous backcountry experience in Denali.
Park officials said they don’t believe other registered backpackers are in the immediate area. That portion of the park is closed but other wilderness areas remain open, officials said.
Prior to receiving a permit to hike in the area, all backpackers in the park receive mandatory bear awareness training that teaches them to stay at least a quarter-mile away from bears, and to slowly back away if they find themselves any closer. Investigators confirmed that the hiker had received that training.
Denali is located 240 miles north of Anchorage. It spans more than 6 million acres and is home to numerous wild animals, including bears, wolves, caribou and moose.
Carousel photo via the Associated Press.





















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Comments (234)
Angel_light
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:41pmgee if that were me i would forget snapping photos and get the heck out of there! if you want nice pics then get a good camera with a ZOOOOOOOOOOM function.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:53pmObviously not familiar with wildlife before becoming food. People like Timothy Treadwell and Steve Irwin et al. are (were) idiots plain and simple. Only time between them and an attack. And it happened to both. Normal people realize a Grizzly can cover a 1/4 mile in very short order.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 4:22pm@Angel:
Most people who have not faced bears close up have no comprehension how fast those critters are able to run. If a bear decides your dinner, then you are dinner.
Report Post »LameLiberals
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 6:31pmI bet his backpack was filled with tasty snacks the bear munched on after it ate him.
Report Post »johnpaulkuchtajr
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 6:53pmI’m trying my best to get you folks to always think outside the box.
What if the guy was having tremendous marital or career problems and decides to commit suicide by grizzly bear? It will be interesting to see if he has insurance policies. They pay-off an “accidental” death claim; but, not a suicide. Only the deceased knows for sure!
Peel that onion back and never settle for the obvious, especially when the government release news.
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 7:33pmLOL
It’s bigger than you and it can and will EAT you. Stupid. So stupid.
Report Post »SpeckChaser
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 8:00pmJohn Paul
The suicide clause only pertains to the first two years of a new policy. After two years insurance must pay for suicide, as required by law.
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 8:31pmWhen you watch idiots stop along a road where there are Black Bears ( a mite smaller ) and give their children food to feed the cute bears and their cubs, you wonder just how stupid people really are, and leave so you never have to say ” I can’t get that out of my head.” It must be that cute teddy bear thing.
Report Post »jespasinthru
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 8:52pmWhy would you want to get up in a bear’s face in the first place? If you want to get a video of wild, dangerous creatures, respect their space and do it at a safe distance. That’s common sense. It’s just like deep sea divers who make images of great white sharks. They have sense enough to use wide lenses so they can make a video in relative safety. The monster’s mouth is wide open, you can clearly photograph his big, toothy grin, but you‘re far enough away where he doesn’t notice you. Now your video is all over the web, people are begging you to sell them the copyright, and best of all you didn’t get got by the shark. Not like that poor idiot who got “got” by the bear.
Report Post »whofarted
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 8:54pmWhy shoot the bear because the guy is stupid?
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 12:16amThere was a point at which this guy realized he was going to die as bear food…………and that moment was shear terror………..RIP BRO !
Report Post »chjaka
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 12:38am@whofarted on your brain: because once an animal eats a person which is very rare, it becomes a danger to other people because it has now learned to see people as food. DUH!
Report Post »vcthumper
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:18amHis father always said,”you’ll never amount to crap”. Guess he showed him!
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:39amMost of these hikers don’t carry any protection like mace,big mistake that they were taught by people who’ve been confronted with bears assuming they will back down if you act big and yell. Especially in this time of year when Bear are stocking up for the winter nap. This man stupidity cost him his life and the life of the bear I’m sure he was admiring minutes before it killed him.
Report Post »KoolAidDrinker
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 9:05am@Angel,
Report Post »That’s the difference between you and the paparazzi. Oh Yeah, it’s true. This guy was a wildlife paparazzi, disguised as a hiker. And this was no ordinary grizzly, this is the mamma grizzly made famous by Sarah Palin. Look it up….
ams9999
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:38pm@chjaka
could you be more condescending? he/she obviously just didn’t know that. it’s people like you that make people fear asking questions. i hope someone treats you like an idiot next time you show curiosity.
Report Post »chjaka
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:48pm@ams9999: Yeah I guess calling the victim stupid wasn’t condescending, right fool?
Report Post »garyt55b
Posted on August 28, 2012 at 7:58amGrizz + Stupid =Dead
Report Post »Duckhead
Posted on August 28, 2012 at 10:07am@garyt55b
Report Post »Your equation left out “proximity”. Look at all of the Obama supporters who continue living solely because there are no bears near them. Obviously that is why Obama polls so well in urban areas.
KingCanon
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:40pmYum Fun Crunch is a poor choice for an ad on this story page.
Report Post »The lock even resembled a camera. What some folks won’t do for a buck!
SingerGuy
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 6:16pmYou have no idea how advertising works on the internet, do you? They don’t place an ad on a page; they place an advertising spot on a page. Each time you load the page a different ad comes from the advertising service. The Blaze has no real control over what ads are fed to its site, let alone what ads go with what stories.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 8:39pm@KingCanon
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:40pm
Yum Fun Crunch is a poor choice for an ad on this story page.
Report Post »The lock even resembled a camera. What some folks won’t do for a buck!
***
Perhaps you missed the stories, google maps your web searches and sells your surfing habits to the ad companies who then tailor ads to the individual person. (Windows explorer and firefox both use google search engines now.) So these days the ads are tailored to the individual person. I don’t have the one you mention on my page. It seems we can’t escape even with the Do not map chosen.
kevinj319
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 10:00pmI find it unbelievable that you guys actually still see ads. Ad blockers have been available for years.
Report Post »jespasinthru
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 10:57pmSINGERGUY, few people pay attention to internet sideline ads. The open forum is where all the fun is.
Report Post »13Lena
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:39pmGod Ron Paul is as nutty as they get and really needs to shut up. Who cares? His supporters are all morons that are content with living with mom and dad and before you nimrods get on my case i use to be a supporter so fa la la la la la la ;la.
Report Post »flipper1073
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 6:54pmSweetheart You’re on the wrong story.
Report Post »this one’s about a bear.
SpeckChaser
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 7:49pm@flipper
Sweetheart, Lena’s comment was originally a response to a rabid Paul-O-Con before the comments were jumbled. Sorry for your misplaced concern.
Report Post »stumpy68
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 7:59pmDid you take a wrong turn somewhere?? no politics here just an unlucky foolish person who didnt understand that you need to respect wild animals.
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 8:40pmThis ain;t The Po honey. We have our decorum here too. :)
Report Post »XScramblerX
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 8:50pm@13LENA
Report Post »You’re as dumb as a door knob! We Ron Paul supporters(tea party) woke morons like you up so shut you pie whole! This is a story about a grizzly dumbo!
SpeckChaser
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 9:06pmStumpy/jack/XS
Again, Lena’s post was in response to a rabid Paul-o-con, before the blaze jumbled the comments. So in this instance it is not she who is dumb as a doorknob. However, it is funny to watch y’all post in spite of not having a clue of what your talking about.
Report Post »flipper1073
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:18amSpeckchaser
You are right I was Disrespectful of Lena,
She may well be a Frumpy Hillary Clinton Lookalike.
I was going on her Avatar of a very pretty young lady !
As to being on the wrong story I Wasn’t aware of the
Report Post »Blaze Mixup the Ron Paul story was beside the bear story.
Sorry for the Confusion.
I Know the Blaze never makes a Mistake
(I can’t believe I said that with a straight face)
Z
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:38pmMost sane people avoid things/animals that can kill them and eat them. Especially when armed with a high powered camera, not a high powered rifle. Idiot
Report Post »Stelex
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 4:46pmThe guys from San Diago………says it all I think.
Report Post »Stelex
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 4:53pmBefore you libs and spellfreaks all jump over my typo “Diago” I’m still here and not mauled by a bear. And I have come across them here in NH.
Report Post »caveman74
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 5:10pmSo now there is a family missing their dad son brother??? And there is a bear shot to death for doing nothing wrong (its not like the bear went to someones home, they came to his house). And all because some dude from san diego had the good sense to say “ooooh look at the cute fuzzy bear” instead of “OH XXXX AA BEAR…RRRRUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNN” Sorry to the family but there is no denying this guy is a strong contender for the darwin award this year
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 7:18pmStelex (says)
Report Post »Posted on August 26, 2012 at 4:53pm
Before you libs and spellfreaks all jump over my typo “Diago” I’m still here and not mauled by a bear. And I have come across them here in NH.
Bet you’ve never come across a grizzly or brown bear in NH, Stelex, or been up close and personal with one. Those little black bears you‘ve seen wouldn’t make a good lunch for a griz.
Puddle Duck
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 7:29pmTo the Bear he was a tasty southern treat called “San Diego Nougat.”
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 8:49pm@Z
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:38pm
Most sane people avoid things/animals that can kill them and eat them. Especially when armed with a high powered camera, not a high powered rifle. Idiot
Report Post »***
That’s why the idea of the DNR re-introducing wildlife to their historic territories is sooooo dangerous. I used to read the Bible’s description that in the Tribulation Period 1/3 of the population of the earth would be destroyed by the “Beasts of the Field” and wonder about how it could happen since civilization had most of those beasts in zoos and wildlife preserves. Now it’s obvious, and kids are only taught that “Animals are people too!”
Hubris_az
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:31pmI don’t understand why they killed the bear. People are schooled about the risks and they bear knows no better.
Some of the posters on here need to learn how to read. The article said the hiker was within 50 yards of the bear, not 50 feet. And the safe distance is a quarter mile – not a half mile.
Report Post »rosie1000
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:55pmI htate that they have to kill the bear. BUT once they get a taste of human blood they will become predators. Bears have been known to stalk their prey and the only way to put an end to the bear hunting for people after an incident like this is to put the bear down. Too bad we can’t do that with human murderers; bears are just following animal instinct, humans killers are just plain old evil and need eliminated.
Report Post »A. James
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 4:40pmSee, I think it was killed to exclude foul play in the hiker’s death. I was against the killing of the bear until I read they cut the bear’s stomach open in order to confirm that it was the bear that killed the hiker.
Report Post »Shadowangel
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 6:34pmAs Rosie said. Also it might make you feel better to know that about half (sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the area and conditions) the bear cubs are killed every year, often – but not exclusively – by adult males. Adult males sometimes kill adult females too. Sometimes they kill due to hunger, sometimes to breed. Try to think of it this way: killing that bear may have saved the lives of a few cubs and females too, who knows.
Report Post »lel2007
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 10:23pmOnce a bear has tasted Man he’ll look for more.
Report Post »Bodine
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:26pmThoughts go out to his family and friends.
now on to a lighter note:
Q) Why do grizzly bears in Alaska lick their behinds?
A) To get the taste of liberal out of their mouth
Report Post »slindsley
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 4:51pmI wonder his Dad ever told him he wouldn’t amount to crap……
Report Post »mmmmarilyn
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 5:34pmThe bear was probably thinking, “anything is better than chick-fil-a.”
Report Post »chips1
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 5:36pmHe too, shall pass.
Report Post »t00nces2
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 5:38pmI wonder if it smelled like pepper and had little bells in it…
http://www.funnyreign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Bear-Poop1.jpg
Report Post »grimmster
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:25pmThis guy, like the bride trashing her wedding dress must have come from the same gene pool.Since it seems we cant “breed” stupidity out of humans, its up to God and mother nature to do it for us…..
Report Post »MBA
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 5:58pmIt’s just not happening fast enough to the liberals!
Report Post »Eugene1
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:25pmI see photos of dimwitted individuals around wild animals in Yellowstone Park all the time. That’s why so many get gored, attacked, scratched, bit and sometimes killed by those cute little wild animals and then wonder why!
True respect for nature when you go into the wilderness is simply this . . . be prepared, be smart, keep your distance . . . carry bear spray and the appropriate gun for self-preservation. If you can‘t or won’t do this, plan to be bear bait! If you can’t use your instincts, the bear will use its own.
Report Post »booger71
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 4:12pmIf you are close enough to a grizzly to use bear spray, you are already dead .
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:25pmAny information about the man? Hiking alone ? Was he a professional photographer ?
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:59pmHe must’ve been a good size guy. The bear was ready for seconds.
Report Post »mmmmarilyn
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 5:31pmI heard he was covered in doughnuts.
Report Post »AngryDwarf
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:18pmSo, in Alaska you can be shot for masticating.
Report Post »Glad I’m not a bear.
Halloween
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 5:14pmGo hug a tree, you pilonidal cyst.
Report Post »Shadowangel
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 6:40pmSome people seem to think no animals were displaced when whatever town they live in was built … They have this strange belief that animals in Alaska should be allowed to eat people …
Report Post »Puddle Duck
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 8:05pmOMFG…lol at Halloween’s retort….
Report Post »AngryDwarf
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 10:25pmLOL @ that response also. My .454 Alaskan seems to think irony is lost on some people.
Report Post »mmmmarilyn
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 10:32pmIf you masticate you can go blind.
Report Post »The bear ALREADY had hair it’s palms.
woodyee
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:15pmTeaPartyGrammy said – “it takes a special kind of stupid to loiter 50 feet from an adult grizzly bear snapping photos!”
It’s not the kind of stupid we want reproducing; I don’t think ANY kind of stupid should be “reproducing” (educational, pc, etc.). We must return to nurturing common sense, and REJECT coddling “political correctness” at EVERY opportunity.
Report Post »psadie
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:32pmAmen.
Report Post »randy
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:13pmBet that bear had a terrible aftertaste in his mouth after eating someone from San Diego.
Feel sorry for the bear.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 5:43pmMexican food gives him gas.
Report Post »J_Ind_Boston
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:12pmI was just there 2 weeks ago, sometimes you are not able to avoid the bears and come across them while hiking. His mistake was to stay and take pictures, no one will ever be sure. Hundreds of hikers come within 50 yards of Bears in Denali every year. These events were something out of the ordinary, whether it was something done by the hiker or something wrong with the bear. The training they give you before you are given a permit is really common sense, if you don’t have common sense, no amount of training will help. The bear who was there and ate him may not have been the bear that killed him, again, no one will ever know for sure. I do know that in the 10 days we hiked through Denali we saw several grizzlies that paid no attention to us what so ever, but we were careful to give them all the space we could and back out of their territory quickly.
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 10:53pmThanks for your comments.
Report Post »GABlueStarMom
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:10pmI have a son who lives in Alaska…..he will tell you, HUMANS are NOT the top of the food chain there.
Report Post »dcatlady100
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:19pmpass the hot sauce
Report Post »Puddle Duck
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 8:08pmFranks Hot Sauce ?
Report Post »Tankertony
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:07pmI like the half mile rule. As if, while hiking through the wilderness, you’ll get a half mile warning of the nearest bears.
Report Post »JustJason
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:16pmThat is why I like a male dog as companion.
I agree .5 mile is tough. The distance is for dispersal of your scent. It can chase you down in a 1/4 mile easy. Traversing game trails its hard for that distance. Also it is “game” trails and you are on it. haha
Report Post »dogwater
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 5:06pmI‘ve read a number of articles that said it’s not a good idea to camp with a dog in bear country. A dog won’t scare off bears but instead attracts them.
Report Post »JustJason
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 5:28pmDog will smell and see it before you. Dog will wake you. Dog will give you time to shoot. You may lose dog.
Report Post »FREEDOMoverFEAR
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 3:59amReal men aren’t scared of attracting game theyre scared of not seeing it!
Report Post »TheBurningTruth
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:06pmThe bear was just being a bear! The hiker/dinner apparently had EIGHT MINUTES to move away and re-establish a safe distance. Instead he decided to get some real close-up exposure to a bear in the wild.
I’ve been to Denali National Park, and took the 6 hour bus tour. This isn’t some little neighborhood park, with Yogi and Booboo sitting under a tree with a picnic basket. This is real Alaskan wilderness with every kind of truly wild animal just wandering around. It is HOME to these animals, NOT a zoo. Everyone hiking or camping, or even traveling through (the road DOES go beyond the park) has to register before entering.
Report Post »woodyee
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:16pmAs usual, you’re being as truthful as possible, however, there can be no denying that he took some fine photos!
Report Post »nobull14
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:04pmHe’s a Bear turd on the path now ? Why do people want to get close to something that’s known to eat you unless your hunting for sport .
Report Post »mmmmarilyn
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:03pmMaybe he thought it was Sarah Palin, the Mama Grizzly.
Report Post »Teaparty-grammy
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 2:59pmI’m sorry the man is dead, but really, it takes a special kind of stupid to loiter 50 feet from an adult grizzly bear snapping photos! A grizzly bear can move a LOT faster than you would think from its size–if you’ve ever seen a film of one running, they can really move!
Report Post »JustJason
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 2:59pmArmed with just a camera?
No Rifle and No dog?
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:10pmDis-armed now….
Sorry for the man & his family
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 2:59pmGreenies think all wild life is cuddly! It never occurs to them that they are called WILD life for a reason!
Report Post »CHROME_PLATED_HEART
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:21pmWonder if the poor guy got a bear hug?
Report Post »pissantno.10
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 7:53pmi wonder if he was driveing a prius or chevy volt
Report Post »Gold
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 2:58pmThe unfortunate and unwise hiker violated Park rules, lingered to take photos of a wild animal in continued violation of Park rules and when the animal obviously felt threatened at some point it did what comes naturally they needed to kill the bear? Really? If someone encroached upon your home, behaving in a way that you PERCEIVED as threatening, and you used deadly force to protect yourself can we then shoot you?
Report Post »DRT_7.62_BTHP
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 4:35pmThey had to kill the bear because once they taste human they go looking for more humans. Which is a small problem.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 5:51pmSo the bear was a muslim?
Report Post »FREEDOMoverFEAR
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 4:02amGrizzlies don‘t usually eat humans that’s why they tell you to play dead. Black bears will eat you so fight back with them.
Report Post »oldasdirt
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 2:54pmRemember Kodak moments?
Report Post »theonounser
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:04pmKodiak Moment,
Report Post »CHROME_PLATED_HEART
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:23pmGrizzly Adams Apple.
Report Post »PepperAnderson
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 2:53pmIt’s not the bears fault The park rules were quite clear. I feel sorry for the bear.
Report Post »JustJason
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:01pmI bet this man shared your mentality and it is why he is dead.
He should of set off that morning ready to kill bear.
Report Post »Bluesurf
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 2:49pmnice little Teddy Bear…….YOU DUMB ASS!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »