A woman was discovered dead following a likely grizzly bear encounter on a trail near West Yellowstone. The incident took place in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, a few miles west of Yellowstone National Park.
Upon receiving news of the unfortunate incident on July 22, Montana’s Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks launched an investigation. Investigators who arrived on the scene found distinct grizzly bear tracks nearby, leading them to conclude that the woman had likely encountered the creature. Nonetheless, the specific circumstances leading to her death remain unclear and are currently under investigation.
In the aftermath of this tragic event, park authorities have temporarily closed the affected area, which is frequented by hiking enthusiasts, to ensure public safety. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the increasingly complex challenges Montana faces due to its expanding grizzly bear population and the correlated increase in bear sightings.
Just a week prior, the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks had issued a public notice about several confirmed grizzly bear sightings across the state, especially in the areas bridging the Northern Continental Divide and the Greater Yellowstone ecosystems. As part of the advisory, residents and park visitors were urged to carry bear spray, secure their food supplies when outdoors, and dispose of trash appropriately to avoid attracting bears.
While fatal encounters with grizzly bears are generally rare, Montana has seen a significant human population growth in regions known for their bear populations. This demographic shift has inevitably led to an uptick in encounters between humans and grizzly bears.
Unfortunately, this incident is not an isolated one. A similar encounter in July of the previous year resulted in a fatality at a campground in western Montana, while a backcountry guide lost their life to a grizzly bear attack near Yellowstone National Park’s border in April the same year.
