Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Bear Attacks Child In Yellowstone National Park

Eric Whitney
A trail closure sign from the 2015 bear attack in Yellowstone National Park

A 10-year-old boy was injured by a bear Thursday in Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone Public Affairs reports the boy and his family from Washington were hiking on the Divide Trail southeast of Old Faithful when the bear charged the family and attacked the boy, who ran away from the bear. A family member deployed bear spray about five feet from the bear’s face, and the bear left the scene.

The boy suffered an injured wrist, punctures on his back and other wounds. After his family walked back to the trailhead and drove to Old Faithful Ranger Station, he was transferred to Big Sky Medical Center.

The incident is under investigation,including looking for signs that would identify the bear species, and the Divide and Spring Creek trails are closed.

It’s the first bear attack in the park since 2015.

 

Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information