Glacier National Park Sees First Fatal Bear Attack in Over 25 Years

A hiker found dead in Glacier National Park this week is believed to be the victim of a bear attack—the first fatal encounter in the Montana park since 1998, officials said Friday. The man's body was discovered Wednesday in a dense, timber-strewn area about 50 feet off the Mount Brown trail, after he was reported missing. His identity has not yet been released. Park rangers and a search team located his remains, and the nature of the wounds led authorities to suspect a bear was involved. "His injuries are consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter," the park said in a statement. Wildlife experts and law enforcement are now combing the area for signs of bear activity and assessing any ongoing risks to visitors. The investigation remains active. The hiker was last heard from Sunday evening. Glacier is home to roughly 1,000 bears, including both black bears and grizzlies. The last non-fatal bear attack in the park occurred last August. Separately, two hikers—ages 15 and 28—were injured Monday during a bear encounter in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. They were airlifted to safety by helicopter. Yellowstone officials said a female grizzly with two or three cubs is believed to have been involved in that incident.