The Importance of Upholding Bear Warning Signs

An investigation into the death of a hiker who was killed by a bear near Yellowstone National Park last month is presenting vital insight into the events that took place in addition to providing important information as to how future attacks can be prevented.

The investigation team found that last month two researches had initially trapped an adult male bear in a snare that was to be the last day of a trapping operation in the area. As a result the bear was tranquilized and radio collared, before being left to wake up by itself.

For some reason the researchers also took down the warning signs that were posted to alert any hikers of dangerous bears who frequented the area. As the weather was windy and cold with frequent snow showers, the researchers didn’t think anyone would hike off maintained trails.

Unfortunately, a 70-year-old man who had resided in a cabin seasonally with his wife for 40 years decided to take a hike that day. The man who knew the researchers were in the area hoped that he would be able to reach them in time to ask questions about their work.

When the hiker didn’t return, his wife notified the team. One of the researchers went back to the site where the bear had been subdued, only to discover the body of the 70-year-old botanist.

The investigation found that for unknown reasons the man had taken a different route from his usual hiking path and was 1,700 feet off the main trail. Furthermore, all bear warning signs had been removed, and he was not carrying any bear spray for his safety.

When the bear was discovered it was later killed, plus DNA from the bear was found to match the bear hair that was on the man’s body.

As a result of a situation that could have easily been averted, the investigation team proposed that a standard written procedure on the employment of warning signs by created and utilized by all agencies. The investigation team went further to say that the signs should be posted at the start of snaring operations and stay in place for a minimum of three days when the operations had come to an end.

Additionally, automatic cameras at the capture sites would be ideal, as they would help to see how long the bears lingered in an area once they were left to recover from the tranquilizers. The team also proposed that drugs should be implemented when possible which would increase the recovery of the subdued bears.

In order to keep the public up to date, agencies were advised to inform the public through means such as press releases when bear trappings for monitoring and research were underway in the area.

While the researchers may have assumed that no one would hike on a day that proved windy and cold, it clearly shows that by keeping the signs in place an incident could easily have been avoided. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. Now however, with these new recommendations it can only be hoped that those involved can learn from the mistakes.

If all else fails though, packing bear spray before venturing on a hike is always a good idea.