A Yellowstone National Park employee and experienced hiker who was found dead is believed to have been killed by a grizzly bear.
The man was found partially consumed a half-mile from the Elephant Back Loop Trail in a popular off-trail area he was known to frequent, according to the Washington Post.
Though the exact cause of death is still under investigation, defensive wounds were found on the man's forearms and multiple signs, including partial bear prints on the ground, indicate that there was probably a female grizzly in the area and possibly a cub.
Researchers on the ground are trying to gather DNA evidence, but the heavy rains are impeding their efforts.
"We may not be able to conclusively determine the circumstances of this bear attack, but we will not risk public safety," said Dan Wenk, superintendent of Yellowstone National Park Superintendent.
Wildlife biologists have laid traps around the area, and the bears will be euthanized if they are indicated in the attack, NBC News reported.
As of 2014, the Yellowstone bear population has been estimated to be anywhere between 674 and 839.
Bear attacks in national parks and nation forests are rare, this being the first and only attack this year, according to CNN.
The hiker's autopsy is scheduled for Monday.
