It's tragic for the victims - a real shame. A horrifying and gruesome way to die. I did a 3 day backpacking trip with my fiancee about 11 months ago just north of the area this occured in the Galatins. Fortunately, we didn't see any grizzlies. I'll be interested to read details if and when they become available. Please keep the ones involved in this tragedy as well as their friends and family in your prayers.
From what I have gathered so far, at least the woman (interview on radio) did everything right. I've not heard full details of the other two, however. I'm especially anxious to learn what attracted the bear and precipitated the attack.
We live with grizzlies (admittedly the coastal Kodiak variety) in our neighborhood and sometimes right in our yard. All of those close to "civilization" have been pretty benign as long as we did our part to be good neighbors. But as with large groups of people, sometimes there's a stinker in the crowd. Our worst nightmare would be for one of those to move into the neighborhood. Fortunately, the individuals that really object to people tend to move to places people don't frequent.
We're fortunate up here to have an ongoing "Living with bears" effort spearheaded by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, which has resulted in a drastic reduction in DLP (Defense of Life and Property) killings, as well as destructive bear activities. It works. Period. Details are available here and are applicable wherever people and bears mix.
As Hank points out living in Alaska you must learn the "Bear Rules of the Road" so to speak. I've mentioned before the two years I spent in Alaska were in very remote areas throughout the entire state. Back then it was to service the Air Force remote DEW Line stations.
Bear encounters were frequent for me and our crew members. I'll say the only time I was anxious around the bears, was with two separate meet ups with grizzlies. They just need a wide berth IMVHO. I recently saw where wildlife expert Jack Hanna had a meet up with a mother and two cubs in Montana. The encounter brought out the use of pepper spray as a last resort. Thankfully no harm done to either side there.
Posted by Garry Revesz on July 30, 2010 at 1:14 AM
It is a real tragedy Michael. I'm glad you brought it to our attention because I haven't heard anything about it on our news up here in Ontario. Ironically, there was a special on TV the other night called "Eaten Alive" about Grizzlies and the horror they can inflict on a victim, albeit a very rare occurrence. Lately I've been noticing more "stories" like this about Grizzlies and I'm not sure if in fact there are more incidents, or if I'm more sensitive to the issue because I am going on a trip in October to the northern B.C. Wilderness to photograph Grizzlies during Salmon spawning. It's a group of 6 organized by wildlife photographer John Marriott. i am looking forward to it, but it's so weird that these bear stories keep popping up. Does anyone know what brand bear spray really works?
Where abouts are you going Garry? The BC bears are my passion.
Melody
Posted by Garry Revesz on July 30, 2010 at 1:12 PM
Hi Melody,
We're going up to Chilko Lake which is surrounded by TY'SI-Os Provincial Park. We are not camping on this trip, but staying at Tylos Lodge, and the only way in is by plane. Have you photographed some of the BC bears? Grizzlies or Kodiaks?
Does anyone know what brand bear spray really works?
I'm not particular about brands Garry. I want the "freshest" possible in terms of expiration date, and I quit carrying the cans once they're within a few months of that date. I usually fire off the old cans, and it's surprising how many clog and fail to fire once they age. And that spans all brands I've tried.
Another consideration is size. Go for the big ones. In my personal, first hand experience bears may come back at you two or three times before they get the message and leave. There's also the question of positioning. Depending on wind direction you may have to move to one side or another for better application on subsequent "visits." And a particularly aggressive bear is likely to circle to try a new angle before trying again. In any of those scenarios, it's very wise to have plenty of spray in reserve.
In a nutshell, buy the big size, selecting the newest on the shelf. Then don't be tempted to depend on it as it nears expiration.
BTW- I see that you're flying into the lodge. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you put a canister of bear spray into the passenger compartment of your plane. If it's a float plane, identify the pack containing the spray so the pilot can put it in the float. If you're flying commercial to reach your debarkation point, either buy the spray once you get off the commercial flight or do without it. Fuggedabout flying commercial with this stuff, even in your luggage.
It's worth adding one other "fine point" to the directions for use of bear spray based on personal experience with antisocial bears.
When bears charge, it is almost always unexpected and very, very FAST. You're walking along minding your own business, and out of nowhere a bear is suddenly charging from very close range. In my experience most bear charges start from well within 50 yards, and more often they start within 30 yards. If you see a bear at a distance, it is very unlikely to charge.
Charges start so suddenly and so close because the bear is as startled to see you as you are to see the bear. Especially with bears protecting a kill or sows with cubs, their first instinct is to attack a threat that appears suddenly.
That leads up to my point:
Bear spray is useless if you can't get to it quickly. You don't have to be a fast-draw expert from B-grade westerns to get your spray into action, but you also don't have time to dig it out of a pack or zippered pocket.
The best solution I've found is one of the belt holsters supplied by the spray manufacturers. I know it's an extra expense, but worth every penny any time you need the spray. Mine is usually on my belt, but when rain gear or equipment conflicts prevent belt carry, it also does fine hung from the chest strap connecting the shoulder straps of my camera pack.
They went out of there way to mention that everyone at the campsite was folowing the rules and keeping food in canisters etc--but with a couple dozen campers, ive rarely seen a campsite that was totally "clean". Not inconceivable, but i'd be very surprised if this bear (which was caught and killed, incidentally) was acting as a predator. The fact that there were a couple of cubs involved is also somewhat suspicious.
I really DESPISE basing comments and opinions solely on news accounts, but in the absence of firsthand info on this I can only speculate. But I'll do it from my intimate knowledge of grizzly bears, or at least the coastal version around my house.
I see one possible explanation based on the depleted condition of the mom and the cubs.
Up here where there are lots of bears, it's not unusual for individuals to be displaced from their normal ranges by more aggressive or dominant bears. It's particularly true of sub-adults just kicked out by mom, but they're not the only ones that have to go looking for new range and become pretty run down until they are successful. Depending on how long it goes on, they can get pretty desperate and do foolish things.
I haven't heard anything about the origins and history of the grizzly outside Yellowstone, but in an era of increasing grizzly populations in that region, more people in the woods, and ever more habitat loss to trophy homes, my first guess is that she experienced a series of events parallel to what I see with displaced bears up here. And did some really stupid things out of desperation.
Apparently there's at least some evidence to suggest that the attack was precipitated by a photographer baiting the bear. If it proves to be true, that individual deserves the scorn and contempt of every one of us for the damage they caused.
I suggest slapping him with the cost of rescue and medical care for the victims, as well as the capture and putting down the sow and relocation of the cubs. Then file criminal charges for manslaughter.
Who knows what lawyers and courts will do with claims of culpability, but in my experience bears have to have a reason to keep returning to a location. If they're not getting food there, they go elsewhere. If they get even a little food, they keep checking back.
In our neighborhood all of us go to extremes not to reward the bears for coming around the houses and people. Without the food, they pass through but don't stop and we only see them once in awhile. But let them find food once, much less become a regular source, and they will persist.
Sad to report the Alaska State Troopers had to shoot a 12-year old male brown bear outside Kodiak city today. People were leaving the doors open on a "bear proof" dumpster, and the bear got his reward and kept coming back. Pretty soon he figured out how to break into the dumpster even when people closed the door. Once that happened, there was just no way to break the habit. That's the first that had to be destroyed this year. Details on the Kodiak kill are here.
3 days before the bear attack I was in the area to check out wildflowers on the foothills of the Beartooths. When we passed the campground where the attack took place I looked at my wife and said, "you would never catch me sleeping in a tent in that campground". She said, "Why not?" I said, "There was a guy mauled here in the summer 2008. Bear grabbed his arm while he was in his tent and he luckily beat it off."
I agree with Hank in saying there is a lot of bear displacement going on. The numbers of Grizzly bears over the last several years has increased from 250 to 600. The last two or three years I have seen more bears than I have ever seen in the park and right close to the road. The week before the attack there was a bear hanging out right close to Pebble Creek campground, in the park which is close to Cooke City. Won't catch me sleeping in a tent there either. My chances of being attacked are pretty slim, but I like to sleep at night.
The truth will eventually come out, and I'm speculating, but I think Gallatin National Forest officials are trying to cover there buts to, because of the incident in 2008. That campground should only have allowed hard sided campers like they do at Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone.
The whole thing is very sad, but with a lot more bears, and then people building cabins in the woods everyday, you're going to have more conflict.
Discussion
15 repliesIt's tragic for the victims - a real shame. A horrifying and gruesome way to die. I did a 3 day backpacking trip with my fiancee about 11 months ago just north of the area this occured in the Galatins. Fortunately, we didn't see any grizzlies. I'll be interested to read details if and when they become available. Please keep the ones involved in this tragedy as well as their friends and family in your prayers.
We live with grizzlies (admittedly the coastal Kodiak variety) in our neighborhood and sometimes right in our yard. All of those close to "civilization" have been pretty benign as long as we did our part to be good neighbors. But as with large groups of people, sometimes there's a stinker in the crowd. Our worst nightmare would be for one of those to move into the neighborhood. Fortunately, the individuals that really object to people tend to move to places people don't frequent.
We're fortunate up here to have an ongoing "Living with bears" effort spearheaded by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, which has resulted in a drastic reduction in DLP (Defense of Life and Property) killings, as well as destructive bear activities. It works. Period. Details are available here and are applicable wherever people and bears mix.
Bear encounters were frequent for me and our crew members. I'll say the only time I was anxious around the bears, was with two separate meet ups with grizzlies. They just need a wide berth IMVHO. I recently saw where wildlife expert Jack Hanna had a meet up with a mother and two cubs in Montana. The encounter brought out the use of pepper spray as a last resort. Thankfully no harm done to either side there.
Garry
Toronto, Ontario
Melody
We're going up to Chilko Lake which is surrounded by TY'SI-Os Provincial Park. We are not camping on this trip, but staying at Tylos Lodge, and the only way in is by plane. Have you photographed some of the BC bears? Grizzlies or Kodiaks?
Garry
I'm not particular about brands Garry. I want the "freshest" possible in terms of expiration date, and I quit carrying the cans once they're within a few months of that date. I usually fire off the old cans, and it's surprising how many clog and fail to fire once they age. And that spans all brands I've tried.
Another consideration is size. Go for the big ones. In my personal, first hand experience bears may come back at you two or three times before they get the message and leave. There's also the question of positioning. Depending on wind direction you may have to move to one side or another for better application on subsequent "visits." And a particularly aggressive bear is likely to circle to try a new angle before trying again. In any of those scenarios, it's very wise to have plenty of spray in reserve.
In a nutshell, buy the big size, selecting the newest on the shelf. Then don't be tempted to depend on it as it nears expiration.
BTW- I see that you're flying into the lodge. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you put a canister of bear spray into the passenger compartment of your plane. If it's a float plane, identify the pack containing the spray so the pilot can put it in the float. If you're flying commercial to reach your debarkation point, either buy the spray once you get off the commercial flight or do without it. Fuggedabout flying commercial with this stuff, even in your luggage.
When bears charge, it is almost always unexpected and very, very FAST. You're walking along minding your own business, and out of nowhere a bear is suddenly charging from very close range. In my experience most bear charges start from well within 50 yards, and more often they start within 30 yards. If you see a bear at a distance, it is very unlikely to charge.
Charges start so suddenly and so close because the bear is as startled to see you as you are to see the bear. Especially with bears protecting a kill or sows with cubs, their first instinct is to attack a threat that appears suddenly.
That leads up to my point:
Bear spray is useless if you can't get to it quickly. You don't have to be a fast-draw expert from B-grade westerns to get your spray into action, but you also don't have time to dig it out of a pack or zippered pocket.
The best solution I've found is one of the belt holsters supplied by the spray manufacturers. I know it's an extra expense, but worth every penny any time you need the spray. Mine is usually on my belt, but when rain gear or equipment conflicts prevent belt carry, it also does fine hung from the chest strap connecting the shoulder straps of my camera pack.
I see one possible explanation based on the depleted condition of the mom and the cubs.
Up here where there are lots of bears, it's not unusual for individuals to be displaced from their normal ranges by more aggressive or dominant bears. It's particularly true of sub-adults just kicked out by mom, but they're not the only ones that have to go looking for new range and become pretty run down until they are successful. Depending on how long it goes on, they can get pretty desperate and do foolish things.
I haven't heard anything about the origins and history of the grizzly outside Yellowstone, but in an era of increasing grizzly populations in that region, more people in the woods, and ever more habitat loss to trophy homes, my first guess is that she experienced a series of events parallel to what I see with displaced bears up here. And did some really stupid things out of desperation.
Did photographer bait grizzly in Yellowstone attack?
Guy
I suggest slapping him with the cost of rescue and medical care for the victims, as well as the capture and putting down the sow and relocation of the cubs. Then file criminal charges for manslaughter.
There's absolutely no excuse.
Did Photographer Bait Grizzly into Soda Butte Rampage?
If they're found guilty, I hope the victims' families slap them with a civil lawsuit as well.
Guy
In our neighborhood all of us go to extremes not to reward the bears for coming around the houses and people. Without the food, they pass through but don't stop and we only see them once in awhile. But let them find food once, much less become a regular source, and they will persist.
Sad to report the Alaska State Troopers had to shoot a 12-year old male brown bear outside Kodiak city today. People were leaving the doors open on a "bear proof" dumpster, and the bear got his reward and kept coming back. Pretty soon he figured out how to break into the dumpster even when people closed the door. Once that happened, there was just no way to break the habit. That's the first that had to be destroyed this year. Details on the Kodiak kill are here.
I agree with Hank in saying there is a lot of bear displacement going on. The numbers of Grizzly bears over the last several years has increased from 250 to 600. The last two or three years I have seen more bears than I have ever seen in the park and right close to the road. The week before the attack there was a bear hanging out right close to Pebble Creek campground, in the park which is close to Cooke City. Won't catch me sleeping in a tent there either. My chances of being attacked are pretty slim, but I like to sleep at night.
The truth will eventually come out, and I'm speculating, but I think Gallatin National Forest officials are trying to cover there buts to, because of the incident in 2008. That campground should only have allowed hard sided campers like they do at Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone.
The whole thing is very sad, but with a lot more bears, and then people building cabins in the woods everyday, you're going to have more conflict.