Tips for avoiding bear attacks
The recent death of man who was camping near Yellowstone National Park, and was attacked by a grizzly bear, is raising awareness among outdoor enthusiasts about how to prevent attacks.
Kevin Kammer, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was found dead at a campsite near the northeastern corner of Yellowstone National Park in late July. Two others were also attacked but survived.
These latest attacks were traced back to a 225-pound female grizzly bear, according to the New York Times. The bear was euthanized and her cubs were sent to a Montana zoo.
Officials say they do not know why the bear attacked, since the campers seemed to follow all the rules when it comes to preventing bears.
Campers are urged to carry bear spray and have it accessible at all times, avoid leaving food or traces of food at campsites, keep ice chests inside their vehicles and to make noise while hiking to alert animals to their presence. Wildlife experts suggest that yelling, throwing objects and banging pots and pans will help scare bears away.
While this event may raise public awareness of bear attacks, federal and state wildlife officials say there is no cause for concern among the public.
"There's been no change in normal behavior, no increase in encounters and no movement into human-use areas," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Chris Servheen told the New York Times.
