A visitor to Yellowstone National Park was attacked and killed by a sow grizzly bear Wednesday morning, park officials said today in a press release. The visitor, who’s name has not yet been released, was walking with his wife along Wapiti Lake Trail when they surprised the sow with cubs. The sow attacked, fatally wounding the man. The sow will not be killed as park officials deemed that it was acting normally, defending her cubs.
Despite it’s aggressive reputation, this is the first Grizzly-related fatality in the park since 1986. Statistically, there are far more Bison-Human conflicts than any other animal in the park. Although there are bear warning signs at Wapiti Lake Trail, there had been no reported sightings in the area this season. “Our heart goes out to the family and friends of the victim as they work to cope with their loss,” said Dan Wenk, Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park.