Sunday, August 26, 2012

Alaska grizzly bear kills Calif. man in first fatal bear attack at Denali National Park



A hiker in Alaska’s Denali National Park photographed a grizzly bear for at least eight minutes before the bear mauled and killed him in the first fatal attack in the park’s history, officials said Saturday.

Investigators have recovered the camera and looked at the photographs, which show the bear grazing and not acting aggressively before the attack, Denali Park Superintendent Paul Anderson said.

The hiker was identified late Saturday as Richard White, 49, of San Diego. He was backpacking alone along the Toklat River on Friday afternoon when he came within 50 yards of the bear, far closer than the quarter-mile of separation required by park rules, officials said.

“They show the bear grazing in the willows, not acting aggressive in any form or manner during that period of time,” Anderson said of the photos.

Officials learned of the attack after hikers stumbled upon an abandoned backpack along the river about three miles from a rest area on Friday afternoon. The hikers also spotted torn clothing and blood. They immediately hiked back and alerted staff park.

More @ The Washington Post

1 comment:

  1. I admit that I don't know the circumstances as I wasn't there. That said, anytime you venture out into the territory of a predator you should have the good (common) sense to carry more than a camera!! (I do).
    Take as many pictures as you can (not necessarily as many as you'd like) and be prepared to drop the camera and fill your hand with something proven to stop a predator!
    Juzzz sayin'......

    ReplyDelete