Wildlife workers are putting out traps in hopes of capturing a grizzly bear that fatally mauled a woman near Yellowstone National Park. The grizzly bear in question is speculated to be traveling with at least one cub. The woman, Amie Adamson, was mauled on Saturday, July 22nd. Officials have declared the mauling was not a predatory attack, just the unfortunate circumstance of a chance meeting.
Adamson was a marathon runner, likely running or walking the trail near Yellowstone National Park at the time of attack. Unfortunately she was in a wooded area, that grizzly and black bears frequent, without bear spray. Gallatin County Coroner’s Office listed the official cause of death as excessive blood loss due to mauling. There was no indication of the bears consuming parts of the victim’s body.
Rangers have placed an emergency closure for areas of the Custer Gallatin National Forest, but none for Yellowstone National Park. Authorities are imploring anyone traveling around the area to carry bear spray for their protection. There has been no decision made as to if the adult bear will be killed or relocated once it’s been captured. Grizzly bears are protected under federal law outside of Alaska. Yellowstone elected officials are pushing for those protections to be lifted and allow hunting for Grizzlies.
The Grizzly Bear population in the northern U.S. near the Rocky Mountains has grown significantly in recent years. While attacks still remain rare in the Yellowstone area, there have been 9 attacks that resulted in death since 2010. Bear encounters with humans can also have adverse effects for bears, one being euthanized in Glacier National Park after it became aggressive due to eating human food.
If you, or someone you know, plans on visiting the Yellowstone National Park area, take care to follow guidelines from State officials. Always carry bear spray while hiking along the trails, keep your food stored away from where bears can reach, and ensure your garbage is tended to.
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