Global Courant
A woman was found dead in Montana on Saturday after coming into contact with a grizzly bear on a trail west of Yellowstone National Park.
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said in a statement Sunday that the woman was found dead on a trail near West Yellowstone, a Montana town nestled in the Custer Gallatin National Forest just west of Yellowstone National Park.
They said the woman was found dead “after an apparent encounter with a bear” based on what investigators determined were grizzly bear tracks at the scene. The department said the investigation into the grizzly attack was ongoing.
Rangers issued an emergency lockdown of the area where the woman was found, which is popular with hikers.
LOOK | Tips to avoid a bear attack:
Tips to avoid a bear attack
While the department’s statement said the death appeared to have been followed by the woman’s interaction with the bear, her cause of death was not confirmed.
The attack comes amid an increase in Montana’s grizzly bear population and an increase in sightings.
A grizzly bear has been confirmed in the Pryor Mountains. Those who live and recreate in the area are advised to practice heightened bear awareness and safety protocols to avoid conflict.
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The department issued a press release last week warning visitors that staff had confirmed grizzly bear sightings across the state, “particularly in areas between the Northern Continental Divide and the Great Yellowstone ecosystems.”
They begged campers and visiting parks to bring bear spray, store their food outside and take care of their trash.
