A grizzly bear attacked a group of hikers at Yellowstone National Park on Thursday leaving two people with injuries, seattlepi.com reported.
Four people were exploring a trail in the Canyon Village area of the park when they discovered a young grizzly bear around 11:30 a.m. After a female bear spotted the hikers gazing at her cub, she charged at the group.
Two hikers came prepared with bear spray that eventually warded off the female and her cub. Although the attack lasted for about a minute, one of the two injured hikers suffered bite and claw wounds.
One person was treated at the scene and another was taken to the hospital. All four were capable of exiting the area themselves. The group asked for their identities to stay concealed.
In August of 2011, a hiker visiting the park from Michigan was killed by a grizzly bear. According to NBC News, this was the second deadly bear attack of the summer.
During the first attack in the summer of 2011, Yellowstone said the bear was protecting its cubs and decided to let it go. After the second attack, officials set up traps with intent to kill the bear that mauled Michigan man John Wallace, 59, to death.
According to Yellowstone bear biologists, the bear's behavior was a typical reaction after her surprise encounter with people staring at her cub. The National Park Service said this is the first bear attack this year and is still under investigation. The area where the attack took place has been temporarily closed in addition to a nearby trail area.
Yellowstone requires that all visitors stay 100 yards back from black and grizzly bears at all times as the best defense is a safe distance. The park encourages bringing binoculars or a telescope to assist in maintaining the suggested distance.
The park also mentioned the hikers were doing a good job of following their advice by hiking in a group of 3 or more, making noise on the trail, watching their surroundings, and carrying bear spray, which they claim works as "a last line of defense" if used appropriately.
