A hiker in Yellowstone National Park was attacked by a bear this week. Now, the National Park Service (NPS) is looking into the incident.
According to a post from the NPS, the hiker was hiking alone on the Turbid Lake Trail on Tuesday. Officials believe the hiker may have startled the animal when it attacked about 2.5 miles from the Pelican Valley Trailhead.
The hiker, a 29-year-old man, says he used bear spray against the animal, which helped end the attack. He sustained significant but non-life-threatening injuries to his chest and left arm. Medics who arrived on the scene were able to help him walk out. An ambulance transported the hiker to the Lake Medical Clinic, where a helicopter flew him to the hospital.
The hiker told NPS officials he believed the animal was a black bear. However, park officials think, based on the location, size of the bear, and how it reacted, that it may have been a grizzly. They plan to do a DNA test to confirm,
While bears are sometimes euthanized after an attack, officials believe this was a defensive reaction because the animal was startled. As a result, they may not take any action against the bear.
However, the trail remains closed this week while rangers sweep the area and continue their investigation.
Tips to avoid being attacked by a bear
While this may seem like a scary incident, it’s important to remember that bear attacks are relatively rare. Being informed and prepared while in bear country is key.
“Seeing a bear in the wild is a special treat for any visitor to a national park,” writes the NPS on its website. “While it is an exciting moment, it is important to remember that bears in national parks are wild and can be dangerous.”
They say the first step is to avoid the encounter by making yourself known in the area. Try to make some noise as you travel, even if you’re hiking solo. This will help avoid surprising a bear. Additionally, carrying something like bear spray is recommended not just for grizzlies, but in places with many black bears as well.