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Yellowstone National Park Hiker Mauled by Grizzly Bear, Sustained ‘Significant’ Injuries

Another grizzly bear attack has taken place at Yellowstone National Park. Thankfully, this hiker escaped with his life, though his injuries are extensive.

Montana is bear country, and Yellowstone National Park is doubly so. Park officials are reporting another bear attack Friday, with the victim – a 39-year-old male, remaining anonymous.

The hiker took to Beaver Ponds Trail near Mammoth Hot Springs by himself this morning. There, he encountered “two grizzly bears”, he tells Yellowstone rangers. One of the grizzlies attacked the man, mauling his lower extremities. The encounter took place approximately 1.5 miles from the Beaver Ponds trailhead that originates at the Old Gardiner Road, reports East Idaho News via a Yellowstone press release.

Thankfully, however, the hiker was able to come away alive, even hiking out on his own. Upon reaching help, the man was brought to Livingston Hospital by park ambulance. His condition remains unknown, but Outsider wishes him all the best in his recovery.

In the meantime, Yellowstone National Park is closing Beaver Ponds Trail until further notice. Bear management staff continue to search the area to ensure no one else enters or is in danger.

Grizzly Bear Attacks Continue in Yellowstone Area

Previously this year, a young “beloved guide to countless visitors in Yellowstone” succumbed to severe scalp wounds from a grizzly bear mauling just outside the national park.

Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the fatality in April after Montana backcountry guide Charles W. Mock IV died of his wounds two days after rescue. State authorities cite a “vicious attack” on Mock took place at 3:45 p.m., April 15 near Bakers Hole Campground.

Friday’s mauling is the first incident of a grizzly bear injuring a visitor within Yellowstone National Park in 2021. The last known incident took place in June of 2020, when a woman’s thigh was gouged by a member of the species.

Congruently to Friday’s attack, U.S. Park Rangers are searching for a separate “unidentified woman” who walked straight for a grizzly bear sow and her cubs this month. Yellowstone plans to press charges once she is identified in an effort to deter more visitors from potentially fatal grizzly encounters.

Previously this May, we touched on this startling footage of a close call in Yellowstone National Park. Within, said unidentified approaches the grizzly bears to take a photo.

Unbeknownst to her, however, a third party was filming the entire encounter. This was Darcie Addington, a Yellowstone tourist who – as per park guidelines – stayed put in her vehicle.

Abiding Park Guidelines Can & Will Save Your Life

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(Photo by Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Grizzly bear attacks are rare, but unfortunately, people are mauled to death and/or eaten by bears every single year. These apex predators are fiercely territorial, and no matter how much of an Outsider one is – the great outdoors will always be their turf.

Yellowstone National Park houses around 728 grizzlies. That number is likely to have increased since last estimated in 2019, too. As a result, the park always recommends hiking in groups, making noise while hiking to avoid surprise encounters, and to carry bear spray at all times in all areas of the park.