A hiker in Glacier National Park was grabbed and shaken by a grizzly bear Tuesday. The Park says his injuries were not life threatening.
The 65-year-old man from Wisconsin was hiking alone off- trail near Mt. Henkel in the Many Glacier Valley, where he surprised a sow grizzly with two cubs. He successfully deployed his bear spray, causing the bear to release him and leave the area. The hiker received puncture wounds to his lower leg and injuries to his hand.
The man hiked back to his vehicle in Many Glacier and drove himself to the emergency room at the Northern Rockies Medical Center in Cutbank. He was treated and released later that evening.
According to park rangers, the bear’s response to the hiker was defensive in nature and consistent with a surprise encounter with a hiker.
Glacier National Park officials are encouraging hikers to follow bear safety protocols like carrying bear spray, hiking in groups and avoiding obvious bear feeding areas.