1 Dead, 2 Injured in Bear Attack! is Yellowstone Doing Enough?
The Associated Press reported that all three attacks were separate with one male bitten on the leg, while the female victim suffered lacerations and crushed bones. The third male did not survive.
The victims names are not being released, but the spokesperson for the Wild, fish, and parks was quoted saying "We don't know if it was one bear, two bears, a black bear or grizzly bear. Obviously, the bear's gone now. Will it come back tonight? That's the question."
Authorities have set up traps in an attempt to capture the bear. Unfortunately, if a bear is caught, it will be killed. If a bear is caught and killed, the question should be 'was it the bear that attack the camp'.
Back in July of 2008, mtstandard.com reported Soda Butte Campground having an earlier attack. This time, a grizzly bear entered the tent of a camper, biting his arms and legs. At the time, the park was closed for further investigation, and four days later, a female grizzly was caught in a trap. She was than transferred to Washington State University in Pullman. Almost two years later, the same campground has been shut down again, this time because of three attacks.
Whatever the reason for the bears to attack, four within two years are four to many. Yellowstone National Park needs to take the safety of the campers into consideration. Advising the campers to read the bear safety literature prior to arriving is not enough. These bears are coming into the area for a reason, possibly food. One persons irresponsibility can become another persons nightmare. However, it is the responsibility of Yellowstone National Park to ensure the safety of their campers. According to the spokesperson of Gallatin National Park "It is a populated area for bears, not just grizzly bears but black bears".
Camping should be a fun experience for yourself, and your family. One of the joys of camping is being out in the wild. However, worrying about bears, other animals, or being forced to your car for safety is not an exciting time. The question should not be whether or not the bear will be back, but why camp sites are being opened in bear infested areas?
Published by Theresa L.
I am a lover of animals, writing, reading, music, and sports. View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentUnfortunately it is not just the wild. Last summer, in my small town of five hundred people, we had a bear come right through it. That is normal for us. What I don't understand is they did close the park in Yellowstone after the attacks, but knowing it is the most popular area out of all the parks in the forest, why keep it open? Yes I am more than likely wrong in my thinking, but it baffles my little mind on why they don't just close that one camp site (out of so many they have there), down until the bears migrated further out. Especially knowing the bears are in this one location, more than any other campsites. Yellowstone does give warnings, and people should follow them. A lot of it, I will admit and even wrote it, is one person error is another persons nightmare. Food, etc does bring the bears in. Knowing there is food there will keep them returning. Thank you both for your comments.
Yellowstone is not responsible for the campground where the attacks acured. They are in the National Forest. The Grizzly is a protected species and 30 years ago it was unusual to see one. They are everywhere you go now it seems. People need to remember they are in the wild and things will happen.
I just returned from 3 wks in Y'stone, Glacier, Tetons, etc. The rangers MORE than gave warning re: bears. (e.g. use bear boxes, etc.) We adhered and had no problems while camping. While hiking Washburn, ran into mom/2 cubs (Griz). Turned and gently strolled off the trail and to the road!
I am not a camper. I will be the first to admit no plumbing - forget it. However, the bears are not the issue - they should not be taken out of their environment. It is camping in heavily populated areas. You wouldn't camp near a lions den, or a snakes nest, so why than are the camps in a popular area for bears?
You know, bears are everywhere. We just returned from a State Park in upstate NY and there were "Beware of Bears" signs posted all over. We were told to cover our coolers, bring all food inside campers, etc. If you are going to go into the woods - you run the risk of encountering bears. In defense of the Parks, they cannot relocate all of the bears. The rangers do their rounds as best they can. We'll still be camping - we love it. cheers :)