Hiker in Montana Attacked by Grizzly Bear This Morning

It is the second time this week that we have shared human/bear encounters in Montana with you. And this one is brand new.

From the Yellowstone National Park area comes word from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks that this morning (Friday, May 28) a male, age 39, sustained injuries from a bear while hiking on the Beaver Ponds Trail at Mammoth Hot Springs. The incident occurred approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead that originates from the Old Gardiner Road.

The man was hiking alone when he encountered what he believed to be two grizzly bears. One bear made contact with the hiker and he sustained significant injuries to his lower extremities but was able to hike out on his own. He was transported to Livingston Hospital by park ambulance. This is the first incident of a bear injuring a person in Yellowstone in 2021. The last incident was in June 2020, when a grizzly bear knocked a woman to the ground and scratched her thigh.

There are no further details to share about this morning's incident at this time. The Beaver Ponds Trail is closed until further notice. Bear management staff are sweeping the trail to ensure no other hikers are on the trail.

Earlier this week we shared the news that Montana FWP is interested in trying to identify and locate a woman who got close to a female grizzly and her cubs for the sake of getting a closer video. The mother bear appeared to do a fake charge at the woman, which was enough to frighten her out of harm's way. We're thinking she was pretty damn lucky.