A tragic incident involving a Yellowstone bear resulted in a woman’s death on a trail near West Yellowstone, Montana, according to a statement by officials this past Sunday. The woman, whose identity is currently undisclosed, was found lifeless on the Buttermilk Trail to the west of West Yellowstone, a town of approximately 1,200 residents bordering Yellowstone National Park.
Grizzly Bear Tracks at the Scene Raise Safety Concerns
Authorities found grizzly bear tracks around the scene, pointing to a possible bear encounter. The Custer Gallatin National Forest, an integral part of the Yellowstone ecosystem, responded promptly by instituting an emergency closure in the areas west of West Yellowstone, addressing what they referred to as “human safety concerns” in relation to the increased bear activity.
Montana’s Growing Grizzly Bear Population
Grizzly bears, federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, have been spreading across Montana. Their population growth in recent years, akin to a river breaching its banks, has led to sightings in locations where the bears have been absent for over a century, such as the Pryor Mountains.
