A hiker in Glacier National Park is believed to have been killed in a confrontation with a bear, marking the first such fatality in the Montana park since 1998, authorities said.
The body of the male victim was discovered on Wednesday, and as of Friday morning, his identity and other details had not been publicly disclosed. The man was reported missing, prompting a search and rescue team to be dispatched, which eventually located his remains.
The nature of his wounds led park authorities to suspect a bear attack. Bears are numerous in the vast mountain wilderness of Glacier National Park.
“His injuries are consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter,” the park stated. “Wildlife and law enforcement personnel are currently assessing the area for bear activity and any ongoing public safety concerns. The investigation is ongoing.”
The body was found near the Mount Brown trail in a densely wooded area with downed timber, about 50 feet (15 meters) off the trail, the park added.
Authorities believe this is the first fatal bear attack in Glacier National Park since 1998. The most recent non-fatal attack occurred last August.
Approximately 1,000 bears inhabit the remote park, including both black bears and grizzlies.
The hiker had been missing since Sunday, with the last known message sent that evening.
In a separate incident this week, two hikers were injured during a bear encounter in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. The hikers, aged 15 and 28, were injured on Monday and airlifted to safety by helicopter.
Yellowstone park authorities said that “park staff believe a female grizzly bear with two or three cubs … were involved in the encounter.”
