A 35-year-old man from Massachusetts sustained serious injuries following an unexpected encounter with two grizzly bears in Wyoming, officials reported.

Incident Details

The attack occurred on Sunday afternoon, prompting a call to the Teton Interagency Dispatch. The injured man was in the area of Signal Mountain Summit Road in Grand Teton National Park when he was attacked. According to a press release from the National Park Service on Monday, the man was hiking alone when the incident took place.

Emergency Response

Grand Teton National Park rangers and Teton County Search and Rescue personnel quickly responded to the scene to provide emergency medical care. The injured man was stabilized at the scene and then airlifted via helicopter to an awaiting ambulance. He was subsequently transported to St. John’s Hospital in Jackson, Wyoming, where he is receiving further treatment. Hospital officials reported that he is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.

The Attack

Preliminary investigations by law enforcement rangers and park biologists suggest that the incident was a surprise encounter with two grizzly bears. One of the bears made contact with the man, causing the injuries. The exact circumstances of the encounter, including whether the man used bear spray or any other means of defense, were not disclosed.

Park Closures and Warnings

As a precaution, park officials have closed the Signal Mountain Summit Road and Signal Mountain Trail to all public entry until further notice. This measure is intended to protect both visitors and wildlife while the incident is investigated.

Safety Recommendations

Park officials took this opportunity to remind visitors of important safety measures to prevent human-bear conflicts. These include:

1. Food Storage: Never leave your food unattended unless it is properly secured. Always store food, coolers, cooking gear, pet food, and toiletries inside a bear-resistant food locker or a hard-sided vehicle with the windows rolled up.

2. Clean Campsites: Keep a clean camp and adhere to all food storage orders. Properly store garbage until it can be deposited into a bear-resistant dumpster.

3. Tent Safety: Do not eat or cook in your tent, and never keep food or other scented items inside your tent.

4. Bear Encounters: If you see a bear, give it space. Always stay at least 100 yards away from bears and never approach them. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising a bear, and carry bear spray as a precaution.

Further Investigations

The National Park Service, along with park biologists, continues to investigate the site of the attack to gather more details. They are assessing the behavior of the bears involved to determine if any further action is necessary. This includes monitoring the area for bear activity and possibly trapping and relocating the bears if they pose an ongoing threat to public safety.

Background on Bear Safety

Encounters with grizzly bears in Grand Teton National Park, while rare, are a serious concern due to the potential for injury. Bears are typically more active in the spring and fall as they forage for food. Park officials continually work to educate the public on bear safety through signage, ranger-led talks, and safety literature provided at visitor centers.

Historical Context

Grizzly bear attacks in the region have led to increased efforts to educate the public and enforce strict food storage regulations. These measures have significantly reduced the number of bear-human conflicts, but the risk cannot be entirely eliminated. The park has a history of bear management programs aimed at balancing the needs of wildlife conservation with visitor safety.

This incident underscores the importance of following safety guidelines and remaining vigilant while enjoying natural areas where wildlife, including potentially dangerous animals like grizzly bears, reside.