MOOSE, Wyo., May 20, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A 35-year-old Massachusetts man was seriously injured in a grizzly bear attack Sunday at Grand Teton National Park.
National Park Service officials say the man was in the area of Signal Mountain Summit Road in western Wyoming on Sunday afternoon when he had a surprise encounter with two grizzly bears.
One of the bears attacked and injured the man, NPS officials said.
Grand Teton National Park rangers and Teton County Search and Rescue personnel responded and provided emergency medical care, according to NPS. The man was transported by helicopter to an awaiting ambulance and then taken to St. John’s Hospital in Jackson, Wyoming.
The man is in stable condition and is expected to fully recover, NPS officials said.
The Signal Mountain Summit Road and Signal Mountain Trail were closed to all public entry following the attack.
The National Park Service shared the following tips for preventing conflicts with bears:
- Never leave your food unattended unless it is properly secured.
- Keep a clean camp and adhere to all food storage orders. Store all attractants — including coolers, cooking gear, pet food and toiletries — inside a bear-resistant food locker, aka bear box, or a hard-sided vehicle with the windows rolled up.
- Properly store garbage until it can be deposited in a bear-resistant dumpster.
- Do not eat or cook in your tent, and never keep food or other scented items in your tent.
- Respect all wildlife closure areas.
- If you see a bear, give it space. Always stay at least 100 yards away. If you choose to watch or photograph the bear, use a spotting scope, binoculars or telephoto lens. Park in designated areas, and never block travel lanes. Follow the directions of staff in places where bears are sighted.
For those exploring in the backcountry:
- Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
- Make noise, especially in areas with limited visibility or when sound is muffled by streams or wind.
- Carry bear spray, know how to use it and keep it readily accessible.
- Hike in groups of three or more people.
- Do not run. Back away slowly if you encounter a bear.
More information about bear safety is available on the Grand Teton National Park website.
