Grand Teton will not take action against grizzly bear that attacked visitor

JACKSON (WNE) — Grand Teton National Park will not take action against a grizzly bear that attacked a visitor, officials say.

“We are not considering any action,” said Chief of Staff Jeremy Barnum. “From conversations with the injured individual and the on-site investigation, it is quite clear that this was a surprise encounter and that the bear, likely a female bear, was reacting defensively because she had at least one cub.”

According to Grand Teton National Park records, Sunday’s attack was the seventh since Teton Park was established in 1929.

Also significant is the fact that park rangers concluded that the bear was behaving “defensively.”

When it comes to bear attacks, biologists view self-defense attacks differently than the even rarer predator attacks. Grizzly bears or black bears that pursue or stalk humans are often killed. However, bears that grab or maul a human who surprises them are often spared this fate.

On Sunday, the Massachusetts man was hiking through a wooded area, carrying bear spray and intentionally making noise because he was aware of Teton Park’s bear safety notices. When he saw a smaller bear running away near him, he reached for his bear spray and was simultaneously attacked by a larger bear, according to a park report on the incident obtained by the News&Guide.

The victim was able to pull his bear spray from the holster, but didn’t have time to let go because the larger bear was approaching so quickly. The bear struck the man several times, eventually piercing the bear spray can. After that, the bears left.

The man was released from the local hospital on Monday and is expected to make a full recovery.

The park does not know which bears were involved and may never know for sure.