Glacier National Park Sees First Fatal Bear Attack in Almost Three Decades

A male hiker, whose identity has not yet been announced, has been found dead in Glacier National Park. According to a press release, “his injuries are consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter.”

The victim had been missing for several days before he was found. He sent his last known message on Sunday evening and had not been heard of since then. A search and rescue team recovered his remains on Wednesday, May 6. The man’s body was just a couple miles up Mt. Brown Trail and 50 feet off the trail “in a densely wooded area with downed timber.”

National Park Service (NPS) officials closed several trails in the area while wildlife managers and law enforcement agents investigate the incident and monitor the area for bear activity. Officials have not disclosed whether they believe the bear responsible for the attack was a grizzly bear or a black bear.

Glacier National Park, renowned for its melting glaciers and striking valleys, is located in Northern Montana. While it’s common to encounter black and grizzly bears in the park, the recent incident marks its first fatal bear attack since 1998, according to the Associated Press. It also appears to be the first fatal bear attack in North America this year.

Bear activity appears to have increased in the Northern Rocky Mountain region in recent days as bears become active following hibernation. This can lead to particularly dangerous situations when people encounter mother bears with cubs; earlier this week, two hikers were injured by a sow and her cubs in Yellowstone National Park near Old Faithful. That incident remains under investigation.

The tragic fatality in Glacier National Park underscores the importance of taking safety precautions, such as carrying bear spray or a bear defense gun, while recreating in bear country. “Park staff are working to determine next steps based on field assessments and wildlife behavior monitoring,” explained an NPS spokesperson. “Visitors are reminded to stay off closed trails.”