Park rangers: No search for bear that mauled hiker

[xchrom]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_YELLOWSTONE_GRIZZLY_MAULING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-07-07-14-51-18

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) -- Yellowstone National Park authorities will not try to capture a female grizzly that killed a backcountry hiker because it was trying to defend its cubs when it was surprised by the man, a spokesman said Thursday.

Park spokesman Al Nash said Wednesday's mauling of the 57-year-old man was a purely defensive act. He said Yellowstone typically does not try to capture or remove a bear in what he called "a wildlife incident."

Wednesday's attack occurred about 1-1/2 miles up a popular backcountry trail and was the first fatal grizzly attack inside the park in 25 years - but the third in the Yellowstone region in just over a year.

The attack occurred not far from an area that is one of Yellowstone's top attractions, and busloads of tourists normally gather there to take in the view from Artist's Point, one of the park's most iconic.

[Sequoia]

1. Why didn't they turn back down the trail?

Did they say, oh how cute let's take a photo? I didn't hear the whole story but everyone who goes into the wild should KNOW NEVER to mess with cubs or if you see any to get away and quick.

[ingac70]

3. You don't have to mess with one....

if a female grizzly with cubs sees you she will run you down if she wants.

[CBGLuthier]

4. All is explained in the article

But good job making stuff up.

[uppityperson]

16. It is more fun to assume and jump to conclusions than actually read or research something

At least for some people.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. From what I've read, the hikers surprised the mother and cubs. The mother bear

was defending her cubs against a perceived threat. It doesn't appear that the hikers did anything wrong, especially. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. As far as getting away quick, it's hard to outrun a bear.

[XOKCowboy]

8. Hard to impossible....

Bears are very fast, especially enraged mother bears (I refuse to use the term mama bears for obvious reasons).

Sounds like a tragic accident and I agree totally with the Park Service decision.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

13. Watch here how quick things can go bad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMbnmLLnsfw

Skip to 1:45

[Dappleganger]

2. Good.

[Liberal Veteran]

6. That's good to hear.

I am sorry for the man who got killed, but it doesn't sound like this was an animal doing anything other than what one would expect.

[sharp_stick]

7. Good to hear

I was afraid they'd hunt her down.

[LWolf]

9. Glad to hear it. nt

[Cleita]

10. That's good. If it occurred in Montana, any interaction

between a bear and a human is cause for the bear to be destroyed.

[frylock]

11. thank goodness

[Politicalboi]

12. Good

I hate it when they hunt down and kill an animal that was just doing what comes natural. And to kill her would have been tragic for her cubs.

[damntexdem]

14. Support the right to arm bears.

Couldn't resist.

But it is the right decision.

[amborin]

15. glad to hear this!