Woman found dead in apparent grizzly bear attack near Yellowstone
A woman was found dead on a trail near the west of Yellowstone National Park after apparently coming in contact with a grizzly bear amid concerns over the rising population of the animal in the area.
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said the woman’s body was found on the trail on Saturday in the Montana town that is nestled in the Custer Gallatin national forest.
The cause of her death was not immediately confirmed and an investigation into her death is ongoing.
The department said the woman was found deceased “following an apparent bear encounter”, based on the discovery of grizzly bear tracks at the scene by investigators.
The area where the woman was found was immediately ordered closed by the rangers.
The area remains popular among hikers.
The attack comes as concerns are being raised about the rising grizzly bear population and increasing sightings of the animal in the area.
Last week, the department issued a news release to warn the visitors that staff had confirmed sightings of grizzly bears throughout the state, “particularly in areas between the Northern Continental Divide and the Great Yellowstone ecosystems”.
They ordered hikers and tourists coming for camping or visits to the park to carry bear spray, tend to their garbage and store their food while outside to keep the animal away.
In July 2021, a grizzly attacked a person at a western Montana campground who died following fatal injuries.
In April same year, a guide was killed by a grizzly bear while he was fishing near Yellowstone national park border.
A grizzly bear was found dead near the area of the Yellowstone park that lies in Wyoming this year.
An investigation was launched by authorities from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) and Wyoming Game and Fish Department after the bear was found in May this year.
Grizzlies are under federal jurisdiction in Wyoming and the USFWS said at the time that it could not comment on the state of the investigation amid concerns that the 500-pound bear was deliberately shot and killed.
