NPS/Jim Peaco
Information Release Date: July 15, 2020
Call: Morgan Warthin, (307) 344-2015
MAMMOTH Scorching SPRINGS, WY – At around 5 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2020, an adult female black bear entered a backcountry campsite occupied by 5 backpackers (3 older people and two young children) as they had been sitting outdoors of their tents. The campsite is situated close to 3 miles from the Hellroaring Trailhead in the northern component of the park.
The bear walked up to an adult female and little bit her on the suitable arm and head, inflicting bruises and insignificant abrasions. The bear also nipped at the proper hand of 1 of the two youngsters. The bear then walked more than to the group’s food items, which was below a storage pole but not however hung and started consuming it.
Rangers responded by horseback and when they arrived on scene, the bear was even now in the campsite eating the backpackers’ food stuff.
A decision was manufactured to destroy the bear for the next causes: 1) human safety problems, 2) the bear entered an occupied campsite, 3) it little bit one particular of the occupants, and 4) it acquired a sizeable food stuff reward soon after this behavior.
“The chance of remaining wounded by a black bear even though in backcountry campsites in Yellowstone National Park is approximately 1 in 850,000 overnight stays,” stated Yellowstone Bear Management Biologist Kerry Gunther. “Although the threat is reduced, the park endorses that backcountry campers have bear spray when hiking and when in camp. Dangle foods from the meals pole at all instances apart from when cooking or consuming.”
In Yellowstone, accidents to people by black bears are incredibly unusual, and manifest about as soon as in each seven several years. Go to the park web page to learn a lot more about black bears.
In 2019, park staff members responded to various incidents involving bears exhibiting habituated actions.
Wildlife in Yellowstone Countrywide Park are wild and unpredictable. Be aware of your surroundings. Never ever feed wildlife. Animals that grow to be dependent on human meals might become intense toward persons and have to be killed. Retain all food items, rubbish, or other smelly things packed away when not in use. Stay 25 yards (23 m) away from all substantial animals – bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes and at the very least 100 yards (91 m) absent from bears and wolves.
Read additional about protection in the park, like how to behave all around wildlife.
Editor’s be aware: There are no shots of this bear. Stock pictures of black bears can be found on Flickr.
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