Hiker Killed By Grizzly Bear On Elephant Back Loop Near Lake Village In Yellowstone National Park
A hiker was killed by a grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park, according to a statement from the National Park Service. His body was found around noon on Friday, August 7, 2015. RIP.
The victim has not been named yet, but is a Montanan and a long term seasonal worker for Medcor – the company that operates urgent care facilities within Yellowstone National Park.
His body was found partially consumed a half mile from the Elephant Back Loop near Lake Village. Tracks indicate that a female grizzly and her cub were involved in the incident. Exact details are vague and no exact cause of death has been determined at this point. A forensic autopsy will be performed on Monday.
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has between 674 and 839 grizzly bears. USA Today states that from 1980 to 2011, “bears have injured 43 people in the park.” The chances of getting attacked are 1 in 2.1 million.
Grizzly-Human encounters are very rare, but when they happen it’s scary and sad. Most likely the grizzly bear involved in the incident will be euthanized when caught.
Read more about this unfortunate incident at:
- Yellowstone National Park Press Release
- The Washington Post
- NBC News
- USA Today
- Bear-Caused Human Fatalities in YNP
- Yellowstone – Grizzly Bear Information
If you are in grizzly country, be loud, carry bear spray, and always be bear aware.
UPDATE: According to OutsideOnline.com, the victim was 63-year old Lance Crosby. The park service have captured both the sow and cub thought to be involved in the incident. If DNA matches these bears the sow will be destroyed and the cub will be placed in a zoo.
UPDATE 08/26/2015: Yellowstone National Park has euthanized the bear that killed and consumed Crosby. (BBC).
