A grizzly bear who attacked a Massachusetts hiker in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park ran away after reportedly biting into the man’s bear spray canister and fogging itself.
Authorities said Wednesday they don’t plan to pursue the animal, because it’s believed that bear was reacting to being caught off guard while looking after a nearby cub.
The 35-year-old hiker was hospitalized over the weekend after playing dead while he was being bitten, according to the Associated Press. The attack ended when the grizzly inadvertently bit into his pepper spray container and retreated into the area surrounding Signal Mountain. Roads and trails around the mountain and its 7,700 foot summit remained closed throughout the week.
Rangers said they weren’t familiar with the animals involved in the weekend attack.There are believed to be about 1,000 bears in the Yellowstone area.
The unidentified victim told investigators a small bear he came across ran away, but the larger bear, which he saw at the last second, was on him before he could discharge his spray repellent. He was on the ground with his hands behind his neck and a finger holding the spray canister when the powerful grizzly’s teeth punctured the container, causing the can to burst.
A helicopter transported the injured man to an ambulance after he found a spot where there was cell phone coverage and called for help. He’s expected to make a full recovery.
Authorities suspect a protective mother bear was responsible for the aborted mauling. The National Wildlife Federation claims a female grizzly in the lower-48 U.S. states can weigh up to 350 lbs. Males are twice as big.
With News Wire Services
