Grizzly Bear Attack Prompts Mountain Closure

[ad_1]

In Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming a grizzly bear attacked and injured a man, prompting the closure of Signal Mountain to the public. This incident was one of at least two serious animal attacks on people in the US wilderness on Sunday, May 19.

The grizzly bear attack involved a 35-year-old man from Massachusetts who was hiking on Signal Mountain when he encountered a pair of grizzlies.

The bears surprised the man, resulting in a severe attack. Rescuers promptly flew the injured hiker by helicopter to an ambulance, which transported him to a nearby hospital.

Despite the severity of his injuries, he is expected to recover. Park officials have not disclosed his identity or the specific details of his injuries. In response to the incident, authorities closed a trail and the road leading to the mountain’s 7,700-foot summit.

This attack occurred as Grand Teton and the nearby Yellowstone National Park enter their busy summer tourist season. With an increasing grizzly population, such encounters have become more frequent.

Park officials advise visitors to maintain a safe distance from wildlife, carry bear spray, and avoid leaving food that could attract bears.

In a separate incident in Alaska, a 70-year-old man, Dale Chorman, was fatally attacked by a moose while attempting to photograph newborn moose calves in Homer, his hometown.

Chorman and a companion were searching for the moose when the mother, protecting her young, attacked Chorman as they attempted to flee. Chorman was pronounced dead at the scene, while his companion, who has not been identified, escaped unharmed. The exact cause of death remains unclear, as the attack was not witnessed directly.

Moose are generally not aggressive but can become highly protective, especially mothers with calves. Alaska, home to an estimated 200,000 moose, has had similar incidents in the past. In 1995, a moose fatally stomped a 71-year-old man on the University of Alaska campus in Anchorage after being harassed by students.

This article by Trinity Sparke was first published by One Green Planet on 24 May 2024.