A grizzly sow with cubs was surprised by two hikers on Yellowstone National Park's Wapiti Lake trail and ended up killing one of them this morning.

The Wapiti Lake trail is located east of the Grand Loop Road, south of Canyon Village.

According to the National Park Service, a husband and wife couple had traveled about a mile and a half in on the trail Wednesday morning when they surprised a grizzly sow with cubs. In an apparent attempt to defend a perceived threat to her cubs, the bear attacked and fatally wounded the man. Another group of hikers nearby heard the victim’s wife crying out for help, and used a cell phone to call 911. Park rangers were summoned and quickly responded to the scene.

"It is extremely unfortunate that this couple’s trip into the Yellowstone backcountry has ended in tragedy," said Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk. "Our heart goes out to the family and friends of the victim as they work to cope with their loss."

The name and hometown of the victim are being withheld pending notification
of family members.

Attacks by bears are extremely rare. No visitors were injured by bears in the Park in 2010. This is the first bear-caused human fatality in Yellowstone since 1986.

Patrols are underway to clear the area of all backcountry users. All trails and backcountry campsites in the area have been closed until further notice. The incident is under investigation.

A bear warning sign is posted at the Wapiti Lake trailhead, since it is one of the access points to the Pelican Valley area, known for significant bear activity. However, there had been no reports of bear encounters along or near the Wapiti Lake trail this season. There had been no recent reports of animal carcasses along or near the trail.  No research trapping of bears has been conducted in Yellowstone National Park this season.

Image courtesy of the National Park Service.

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