On July 22, 2021, a tragic incident occurred in Yellowstone National Park when a 48-year-old woman, Amie Adamson, was fatally mauled by a grizzly bear. This attack has raised concerns among park visitors and enthusiasts, prompting the need to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and the necessary precautions to ensure safety in bear country.
The Fatal Mauling Incident
The attack took place approximately 8 miles west of West Yellowstone, where Amie Adamson was hiking alone. Genetic testing later identified the bear involved in the attack, which was subsequently euthanized after breaking into a house near West Yellowstone.
Fatal bear attacks in Yellowstone typically involve surprise encounters or bears that have become conditioned to human foods. In this case, the attack was not classified as predatory, which is a rare occurrence in the park.
Precautions for Visitors
To minimize the risk of bear encounters and ensure the safety of park visitors, Yellowstone National Park managers recommend the following precautions:
Hiking in Groups
Hike with a minimum group size of three people to reduce the risk of fatal bear attacks. Larger groups are less likely to be targeted by bears.
Carrying Bear Spray
Carry bear spray when recreating in bear country. This can be an effective deterrent in the event of a bear encounter.
Staying on Designated Trails
Remain on designated trails when hiking to minimize the risk of surprise encounters with bears.
Making Noise
Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising bears. This can include talking, singing, or using bells to alert bears to your presence.
Using Common Sense
Avoid behaviors that may attract bears, such as leaving food or trash out. Be mindful of your surroundings and use good judgment when navigating bear country.
Additional Information
Yellowstone National Park managers actively distribute bear safety messages to visitors, emphasizing the importance of preventing bears from becoming conditioned to human foods and garbage. This is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy bear population and reducing the risk of dangerous encounters.
It’s important to note that the per capita risk of being killed by a grizzly bear in Yellowstone is relatively low, with 1 fatality for every 26.2 million park visits. However, grizzly bears are known to be aggressive when nursing and fiercely protect their cubs, exhibiting heightened territorial behavior in defensive reactions.
References
- CBS News. (2023, September 7). Grizzly bear that killed woman near Yellowstone and attacked someone in Idaho is euthanized. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grizzly-bear-fatal-mauling-yellowstone-attack-idaho-killed-house-break-in/
- YouTube. (2024, May 18). Yellowstone Grizzly Encounter off-trail, May 17, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXkXeXVWuzg
- Yellowstone Guidelines. (n.d.). Grizzly Bear Kills Hiker in Yellowstone. Retrieved from https://www.yellowstoneguidelines.com/whats-new/1442453113.html
- Gunther, K. A. (2022). Bear-Caused Human Fatalities in Yellowstone National Park: Characteristics and Trends. Human–Wildlife Interactions, 16(3). Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol16/iss3/8
- YouTube. (2024, March 6). Bear ATTACKS Woman at Yellowstone National Park. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TOvklB_Hx0