Questions Remain After Attack

Tools

By Kyle Midura

Story Published: Jul 29, 2010 at 11:13 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 30, 2010 at 6:19 AM MDT

BILLINGS - Wildlife experts believe they've captured the bear responsible for a series of attacks that left one man dead and two others seriously injured.

Even though responders think they've caught the bear, forensic experts must run a battery of tests before they sound the all clear. "We don't have a reason for it, and we will not probably have a reason for why she did what she did," said Fish, Wildlife, and Parks spokesperson Andrea Jones.

Fish, Wildlife, and Parks staff believe they've captured the culprit: a full-grown female grizzly, and she wasn't alone. Investigators captured two of her cubs, and are still trying to capture a third. To do that they're using the mother as bait.

Even after her cub is captured it may take a while to reopen the campsite.

"Thank goodness we have (the bear) we think is responsible," Jones said, "of course we don't jump to conclusions, we take every precaution." "We want to make sure we're safe," she added.

But, it is clear the campers followed safety guidelines. Food was properly stored, and investigators doubt campers antagonized the bear. "This was really a predatory action for this grizzly bear," said Jones, "she sought out these individuals just by chance."

Bears roam all across the Gallatin National Forest, but attacks are rare and very little is known about them. Investigators said these attacks might change what we think we know. "Over time every one of these events teaches us something and the way we respond to these events is from what we've learned from the one before," said Jones.

Jones said they're not currently working with a timetable. "There's a lot of agencies involved and there's no point in rushing the investigation," said Jones. DNA and other forensic evidence will determine if they've got the right grizzly. Once collected, the evidence is sent to a lab in Wyoming.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

Nicnas Nesbit said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 9:08 PM

I don't understand why people have to camp im bear habitat especialy during breeding season. If they go looking for trouble it's not the bears fault , no bear should be put down for defending it's territory or youn. We don't own this earth we need to learn how to share it and live with all it's creatures.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KULR-8 News, Sports, Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Your Weather Authority

Icon
Current Temp 84.0 °F
Partly Cloudy
Wind : Variable at
6.9 mph
Humidity : 15 %
Pressure : 29.75 in
More Weather

Party America Sky Cam

More Weather

On Demand

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.