West Yellowstone – Syndication Server

Yellowstone-area grizzly bear linked to fatal mauling euthanized

A grizzly bear linked to a fatal mauling in July was euthanized Saturday after it broke into a house near West Yellowstone.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks was called to the residence after the bear broke a window to enter the house and steal a container of dog food.

FWP staff and local law enforcement trapped the bear and her cub Saturday evening. With approval from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the adult bear was shot and killed.

The bear was a 10-year-old female known to biologists and believed responsible for a fatal attack on a woman on the Buttermilk Trail near West Yellowstone in July.

According to FWP, the same bear injured a hiker in Idaho in 2020.

The FWP stated in a Wednesday news release:

“While both incidents were assessed to be defensive responses by the bear, multiple efforts to trap and remove the bear were made after the fatal attack in July due to the incident’s proximity to residences, campgrounds and a high-use OHV trail system. These efforts were unsuccessful.”

The 46-pound grizzly bear cub is being held at a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Helena and will likely end up at a zoo.

West Yellowstone is just outside the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

–Generic grizzly bear image courtesy of the National Park Service

Could fatal grizzly bear attack near Yellowstone have been avoided?

The woman who was killed by a grizzly bear Saturday near Yellowstone National Park was hiking alone and did not appear to have been armed with bear spray.

The incident occurred before 8 a.m. on the Buttermilk Trail west of West Yellowstone, Montana. The town is just outside Yellowstone National Park.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks confirmed in a Monday news release that the unidentified woman sustained wounds “consistent with a bear attack.”

Tracks from an adult grizzly bear and at least one cub were found nearby.

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As of Monday morning, an emergency closure of the Buttermilk Trail near the attack site remained under an emergency closure implemented by the Custer Gallatin National Forest.

Authorities are trying to locate and capture the bear believed responsible for the attack.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stated in the news release:

“The hiker was believed to be alone during the encounter, and no bear spray or firearms were found at the scene. The incident is still under joint investigation by FWP and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

“FWP staff express sincere condolences to the family and friends of the hiker who was killed.”

Hikers in bear country are urged to stay in groups and to keep bear spray handy.

–Grizzly bear image courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Woman killed in apparent grizzly bear attack near Yellowstone

A woman was found deceased Saturday on a trail near the Montana town of West Yellowstone, the apparent victim of a grizzly bear attack.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced Sunday that the body was discovered on the Buttermilk Trail, and that grizzly bear tracks were found nearby.

The Custer Gallatin National Forest has temporarily closed the area – about eight miles west of West Yellowstone – to recreational activities.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks said more details would be released when they become available, and that the case was under investigation.

The agency cautioned anyone entering bear country to avoid hiking alone and to keep bear spray close at hand.

West Yellowstone is just outside the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

–Generic grizzly bear image courtesy of the National Park Service