Yellowstone Gate

Grizzly involved in Idaho hunter attack likely defending cubs

By: Yellowstone Gate | September 2, 2015

A few grizzly bears have been spotted emerging from hibernation in Yellowstone National Park.

Idaho wildlife officials say their investigation into a recent grizzly bear attack on a hunter near Yellowstone National Park has determined the incident was likely the result of a surprise encounter in which a mother bear was defending her three cubs. A 55-year-old man from Idaho Falls was treated and released Monday after a grizzly bear bit his left hand. The man had been bowhunting for elk in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest in the vicinity of Yale Creek, about 15 miles west of Yellowstone. Continue Reading →

Yellowstone stresses wildlife safety during fall

By: Yellowstone Gate | September 1, 2015

Yellowstone National Park officials are reminding visitors to keep their distance from elk and other wildlife as fall approaches.

Following a summer that brought at lest five visitor injuries resulting from getting too close to bison, as well as the death of a hiker from an encounter with a mother grizzly and cubs, officials in Yellowstone National Park are stressing safety around wildlife as the fall season approaches. As summer winds down and cooler temperatures start to spread across the high country of Yellowstone, some wildlife in the park begin migrating, while others stock up on extra food to pack on the pounds before winter. Elk begin their fall rut, and will soon be vying for the attention of the females by bugling and sparing with other males. In many areas of the park, but especially around Mammoth Hot Springs, the bull elk become more aggressive toward both people and vehicles, and can be a threat to both people and property, according to a statement released by the park’s public affairs office. Elk damage several vehicles every year, and on occasion charge and injure visitors. Continue Reading →

Sylvan Pass in Yellowstone temporarily closed

By: Yellowstone Gate | August 28, 2015

The road over Sylvan Pass on the east side of Yellowstone National Park was temporarily closed Friday afternoon as crews worked to remove unexploded ordinance left behind as a result of avalanche mitigation work done, presumably during the previous winter. According to a statement from the park's public affairs office, the ordinance was found Friday afternoon near the roadway over Sylvan Pass, and the closure was expected to last a few hours while a team from Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, Mont. responds and destroys the shell. Continue Reading →

Rangers caution Grand Teton boaters about Snake River dangers

By: Yellowstone Gate | August 20, 2015

After a recent spate of incidents on a stretch of the Snake River between Deadman’s Bar and Moose Landing, Grand Teton National Park Rangers are cautioning boaters to choose segments of river that are appropriate for their experience and ability level. Rangers have conducted rescues on the Snake River near the Bar BC Ranch for at least five separate parties since August 1, 2015. Continue Reading →

Yellowstone grizzly cubs headed to Toledo Zoo

By: Yellowstone Gate | August 14, 2015

Two grizzly bear cubs captured after their mother attacked and killed a hiker in Yellowstone National Park will be sent this fall to the Toledo Zoo in Ohio. The mother of the two female cubs was captured and euthanized after park officials determined the bear was responsible for killing Lance Crosby, a 63-year-old Billings, Mont. man who had been hiking alone near Lake Village in the park. Park officials determined the cubs, both less than a year old and each weighing 50-60 pounds, are not capable of surviving in the wild without their mother. Continue Reading →

Yellowstone euthanizes female grizzly linked to fatal attack

By: Yellowstone Gate | August 13, 2015

An adult female grizzly bear captured in Yellowstone National Park has been euthanized after park officials determined the bear was responsible for killing a hiker last week. The bear's two cubs will be transferred to a zoo or other animal sanctuary. Park officials made the decision after an autopsy conducted Monday concluded that Lance Crosby, a 63-year-old Billings, Mont. man, died as a result of traumatic injuries sustained from the attack. Genetic analysis confirmed that the adult female grizzly, which was captured near the scene of the attack, was the same bear that attacked and killed Crosby. Continue Reading →

Rangers trap grizzly after fatal bear attack

By: Yellowstone Gate | August 10, 2015

Rangers in Yellowstone National Park have trapped a grizzly bear in the same area where a hiker was found dead last week after being attacked by a bear. Officials are conducting DNA tests to determine if the trapped bear is responsible for killing the hiker, and say they plan to euthanize any bear connected to the attack. Lance Crosby, 63, from Billings, Montana, was found dead at around noon on Friday, less than a mile from the Elephant Back Loop Trail in a popular off-trail area near Yellowstone's Lake Village. Continue Reading →

Hiker found dead in Yellowstone was attacked by grizzly

By: Yellowstone Gate | August 9, 2015

Investigators have concluded that a hiker found dead on Friday in Yellowstone National Park was attacked by a grizzly bear, and park officials are working to trap and kill any bear determined to be involved in the incident. An exact cause of death has yet to be determined, but a preliminary investigation found what appear to be defensive wounds on the victim’s forearms. Continue Reading →

Yellowstone investigating death of hiker found near Lake area

By: Yellowstone Gate | August 7, 2015

Authorities in Yellowstone National Park have closed an area to public access while they work to determine what caused the death of a hiker found by a ranger at around noon today. A Montana man who worked in the park had been reported missing by co-workers Thursday morning. Park officials have not released the man's name or additional details about the incident, pending notification of family members. Continue Reading →

Yellowstone scales back search for missing swimmer

By: Yellowstone Gate | August 4, 2015

After nine days of intensive searching, authorities in Yellowstone National Park are scaling back their efforts to find a missing swimmer. Feiyang “Isaac” Xiang, a 21-year old seasonal concessionaire employee from China, was last seen being swept down the Yellowstone River on Thursday, July 23. The park is continuing limited, periodic searches of the river corridor downstream from where Xiang disappeared in the northern section of the park. Continue Reading →