Grizzly bites hiker in surprise encounter in foggy Montana national park, officials say

Helena Wegner, Idaho Statesman

BOISE (Idaho Statesman) – A grizzly carnivore spot a hiker connected a foggy way successful a Montana nationalist park, officials said.

The 35-year-old man from Washington was hiking pinch a group Sept. 19 connected nan Highline Trail, Glacier National Park said successful a Sept. 23 news release.

They were stepping into nan upwind adjacent nan Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trailhead erstwhile nan man “surprised a carnivore astatine adjacent range,” wildlife officials said.

The animal past spot nan man beneath his knee, officials said.

His group utilized carnivore spray to get nan carnivore away, and they contacted nan park’s dispatch pinch a outer device, officials said. The parkland dispatch gave instructions connected really to bandage his leg, officials said.

Rangers and members of his group helped nan injured hiker scope Granite Park Chalet. He was past flown to nan Apgar Corral and taken to a infirmary by ambulance, officials said.

The injuries were not life-threatening, nan parkland said.

Wildlife officials said they wished nan wound was from a antheral grizzly bear.

“At this time, nary action will beryllium taken against nan bear, because it was a astonishment encounter,” John Waller, supervisory wildlife biologist, said successful nan news release.

Glacier National Park is successful northwestern Montana, adjacent nan U.S.-Canada border.