Grizzly kills hunter in attack that’s first of its kind at Alaska park, officials say
A grizzly bear mauled a hunter to death at an Alaska national park, the National Park Service said.
A hunter on a 10-day moose hunting trip was killed by a grizzly in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve on Sunday, the National Park Service said in a Tuesday news release. The name of the hunter was not released.
“The incident is the first known bear mauling fatality recorded in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve since the park was established in 1980,” NPS said in the news release.
Bears have been more aggressive this year, McClatchy News reported. As of July 24, there had been at least seven grizzly bear attacks in 2020 in the three-state Yellowstone region when there is usually only one in the first six months of any year, officials said.
The National Park Service said it is best to carry bear spray and use bear-resistant food containers.
“If you come upon a stationary bear, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping,” NPS officials said. “Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground.”
Bears will chase fleeing animals, and they also like to climb trees. People should not think they are safe up high, McClatchy News reported.
Bears don’t want to attack you, and they just want to be left alone. Making noise to differentiate yourself from prey animals will help keep bears away as well. If a bear is standing, it probably is just curious, not threatening, NPS said.
