A Massachusetts man visiting Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park on Sunday, May 19, was seriously injured in a grizzly bear encounter, prompting the closure of a mountain, park officials said.
The National Park Service said in a news release Monday that a 35-year-old man came across the bear in the area of Signal Mountain Summit Road on Sunday afternoon. Park rangers and Teton County Search and Rescue personnel responded and provided emergency medical care, and the man was airlifted out of the park to a waiting ambulance.
The man was transported to St. John’s Hospital, where he was said to be in stable condition on Monday. He was expected to make a full recovery.
Based on the victim's report and a preliminary investigation at the site, park rangers and biologists believe the man had a surprise encounter with two grizzly bears, and one of those bears injured him.
The Signal Mountain Summit Road and Signal Mountain Trail were closed to the public.
Park officials are reminding visitors to be bear aware as the animals become more active through the spring. Backcountry visitors are urged to hike in groups, carry bear spray and make noise, and when encountering a bear, to back slowly away instead of running.
—TMX contributed to this report.