A woman was found dead on Saturday following an “apparent bear encounter” near Yellowstone National Park in Montana.
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) confirmed the presence of grizzly bear tracks at the scene and stated that an investigation into the incident is underway.
The woman was discovered on the Buttermilk Trail, approximately 8 miles west of West Yellowstone. Consequently, U.S. Forest rangers of the Custer Gallatin National Forest have issued an emergency closure of the area in the interest of human safety.
The FWP issued a reminder that bears can be found throughout Montana, and in recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded. They advised those venturing outdoors to be bear aware, offering precautionary steps such as carrying bear spray, traveling in groups during daylight hours, avoiding carcass sites, and making noise to alert bears to human presence.
Earlier in the week, the FWP had warned that sightings of grizzly bears have increased, including in some areas where grizzlies have not been seen in over a century. They emphasized the importance of vigilance for those living and recreating outdoors.