CODY, Wyo. — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating a grizzly bear attack that sent a man to the hospital.
According to a press release from WGFD, Monday afternoon the Park County Sheriff’s Office notified Game and Fish that a man was injured by a bear while hiking Francs Peak.
Francs Peak, the highest point in the Absaroka Range is located in Shoshone National Forest, about an hour and a half west of Meeteetse.
The man, an experienced out-of-state recreationist, was hiking at high elevation when he encountered the bear at close range. The encounter happened too suddenly for him to deploy the bear spray he was carrying. He was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Billings, Montana where he is receiving treatment.
Based on the initial investigation, this appears to be a surprise encounter between the individual and a grizzly bear. According to the release, “Game and Fish plan no management action at this time.”
WGFD says they will continue to monitor bear activity in the area and will make management decisions based on the best interest of public safety.
“We wish the individual a full and speedy recovery,” said Cody Regional Wildlife Supervisor Corey Class.
