I’d venture to say it wasn’t warming temperature and food changes for this attack. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem had a very mild winter this year. All the bears look especially healthy and the park is very green. I think we will find some other issues were at work in this case.

Where are the details of the attack? How many bears? Where the 3 individuals the only campers in the area or were they singled out? This is a pretty vague story.

When grizzly bears are having litters of three cubs as this mother bear had, it’s an indication that they are very healthy–under stress, bear reproduction generally drops to 1 or 2 cubs per pregnancy. If the bears are getting closer to humans I would guess it’s because they are outgrowing the range that is available. Each adult grizzly bear requires a pretty good sized territory. Note that bears are “Loners” so each mother with cubs is very much on her own–male grizzlies are apt to eat cubs of other males so the female will be “available” to reproduce the new male’s DNA. This probably is a stressful situation for mother bears.
Grizzlies exist in a variety of eco-systems, therefore
I doubt that Yellowstone has gotten “too hot” for them.

Jennifer: You may very well be right. I was taken aback by the remark of how unusual the attack was.
Lance: Did you clink the link? That had some more details, but those are the most detailed I could find at the time. I think as this unfolds, we’ll learn more.
ML Castle: Pretty good thoughts. Could very well have been a mother with cubs.
In terms of climate change, it’s not so much of a case of it being too warm, but more in line with what warmer temps do. Further south, in Colorado, they have had massive pine beetle infestations. The winters have been warmer over the past 15 or so years, which prevent parasites from being killed off as completely as normal. When you have large tracts of forest dying, it takes away a major food source for bears — pine nuts. When one food source dries up, bears will expand their search for other types of food. Not saying that’s the case here, but it could be a contributor. I guess it will be up to the investigators and park/forestry/wildlife officials to find out.

Good comments, everyone.

All it takes to attract a bear in Yellowstone may be a dirty toothbrush in a tent. Having worked there a number of seasons I have observed those that think they have prepared their campsites for bears and those that have not. One cannot be too cautious. There is nothing, but danger when a sow and cubs are around.

Everyone reading this story should protest against the announcement that this bear and her cubs will be killed because of this incident…Leave the bears the hell alone and maybe your ass won’t get killed.

How disgusting to kill the bear AND her cubs just because humans encroach more and more on their territory! Does anyone see a problem with this kind of thinking?? The bears were there long before lazy human campers decided it would be FUN to go camping in the wild. Can I come camp in YOUR backyard??? Probably not. Keep your asses home and do something productive with your time instead of hanging out in areas where wild animals are!! Arrrrghhh!!

there is enough signs and warnings around this camp ground and park,ignorant people with no idea where they are going and what can happen are the reason these attacks occur.
Then they kill the bears.I’m confused Oganizations want to protect wild life,stop hunting,protect endangered specices,and yet they allow tourists to go there to see these once in a life time animals knowing the dangers,and yet when something like this occurs they kill it..
What a totally f****d up society ! now that the bear is dead,what about the other hundreds of idiots that are there with food and candy bars? – DAAA ?
lets wait a week and kill another one!

I think it bears pointing out that investigators say the campers had properly stored their food in bear canisters. Anytime people camp in places like this, there are risks. But I would not go so far as to say they are ignorant for wanting to camp at an established campsite. Otherwise, you’re labeling tens of millions of people in that way. This was an unusual, freak occurrence. As far as the bears go, wildlife authorities make the decision to destroy man-eating predators so they don’t endanger more lives in the future. If a bear and its young get in the habit of killing people for food, it creates a major public safety issue. It should not be lost that someone died here, and two others could have been killed.

The mother bear was just protecting her cubs and she should not be killed. She should be allowed to return to her territory with her cubs. The hikers wrongfully entered into her terrain. People take their chances when they do such things. The animals have a right to defend their little ones against intruders. The mother bear should not be blamed for what happened.

You sad people who care more about the bear than the humans. You are quick to claim that bears dont just attack and kill people out of the blue for no reason. Then you blame people when the bear violates your claim about bear behavior. So I guess if people never went out of their homes and the wildlife pops grew to the point that they would encroach on people and kill them when they went out to get the mail or when their kids got off the bus you would then say that people need to abandon their homes, towns, cities etc and leave the state or even the country. You pathetic f****d up a******s. You should have been the ones in the camp ground or your family members but even then you would still have a twisted view of humans and wild animals. My sincere sympathy for the family who lost their loved one.

MK

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Bears are oportunists… Comments like “this behavior is not natural are very ignorant, not studied.” Like most animals the easier the food the better. The less confrontation the better, but confrontation will happen occasionally. To restrict people from an area of the great outdoors is nonsense too. Like any adventure there are risks. These risks must be accepted when choosing the activity, by the adventurer and the Goverment. The smart person will prepare for the adventure! The foolish will some time pay for their foolishness. The USFS and Park Service provides plenty of info on the dangers and the wisdom encountering them. If an attack happens it is unfortunate, but should be accepted as part of the risk of that activity by both the Goverment and individual.
Pointing the finger as well as rediculous measures of restricting entry in not acceptable. And yes, One human life is worth all the bears in the world…but on the other hand lets accept responsibility for the adventure we choose
and be balanced in our appreciation of the wilderness and
it’s experiences and residence. After all that is one of the many reasons we treasure it! We personally belive the only time to remove a bear for instance is when it shows that it has definately chosen to make humans part of the menue or target. It is possible for one encounter and no others… But even there, back off some and let the wilderness happen and its adventurers! Restricting a person as to their choice of weapon in the wildrness is like taking the claws off the bear! All sane, non criminal persons have the right to bear arms.
We are well studdied on wildlife and the bear in particular.
I am amazed at statements made as though they are fact when they are not! Goodness! And Last, who of us who frequent our wilderness parks and lands have not thrilled at the inspiring site of the moose, the elk, The bison, whales,
wolves, the black bear, and Ursus arctos horribilis, the great Grizzly bear! All have killed humans from time to time. What an empty wilderness it would be without them! I praise God for all His creatures! But Balance is important, not at the expense of liberty, or elimnation!
Why don’t we just ban cars! They kill more people than anything else on earth!!!! Death from a bear is exceeding rare compared to death by Cars even in just national Parks… but it is also natural for a bear to take opotunity even of a human! Get a life!!!!

I believe that the momma bear should not of have been killed! I agree with Kel humans go in the bears territory and then they hunt (a natural thing) take care of their young ( a natural thing) and because they picked the a human we hunt her down and kill her. People go in the ocean and get attacked and people go shark hunting. People are just stupid

Humans think they are so superior to all other living beings who the hell made that so? Camp in your own backyard and stay out of the woods.

I am SUPERIOR to animals Nellies! And when I camp in bear territory I’m packin heat to protect my cubs! You can downgrade yourself to animal level if you like, just don’t put that label on the rest of mankind.

I am amazed at the stupidity of people who make statements about us being in their territory. the minute you are born you are in something’s presence and “territory” so get off that bullshit. The fact is that the territory belongs to whomever dominates it by force or intelligence. whether it is your job, the quarterback position, the land or the home you live in. Hopefully we will manage the resources wisely and not waist precious life and land. If you move back then the wild life will grow to your door step then what? You can’t move to the sea for that is the fish and sharks territory, the air is the birds, the very ground you stand on has microscopic life and small insects so by your lame statement you cannot live on the planet. Now I am pleading for all you dumb ass folks who drive your cars, where clothes made of plant and animal and use your computer made from gold and things mined from the earth, then say these kind of stupid things to please volunteer to leave the planet now. Put your money where your mouth is and leave, give up your space now. The issue here is that the invasive species of wolf in the area has put so much pressure on the food resources that the bears are taking it where they can get it. The elk numbers are way down, the cougars litters are killed and the adults driven off their kills by wolves. The wolves have killed for sport and in one case killed over 150 sheep and did not eat any of them. they are boldly stalking people and eating domestic dogs and bringing down the coyote populations quickly as well. the romantic idea of the wolf is not based on truth or reality. The wolf that once roamed the area was 1/3 smaller. This wolf is larger and more aggressive. It does not just eat the weak and injured or young or old they eat it all. They especially like elk cows in late stages of pregnancy. This wolf idea is all a lie and cover up for the funds the state gets to manage the wolf. The years of wild life management that brought elk and bison and grizzly numbers up is being destroyed by the non indigenous species of wolf introduced into the area. A wolf pack will take 3 days to kill a large moose and literally eat it alive while doing it. The moose populations are abnormal with adults but no young or juveniles for future breeding. wake up people and get rid of this romantic idea that is not based on truth.

The article states, “in an established campsite, not in some backcountry locale where bear danger is considered a bit higher.” I disagree. I’ve traveled quite extensively outdoors; including a few six month long trips, and trips deep into the backcountry of many states including Alaska. I’ve seen more concerning bear activity in established campsites than in the backcountry. I personally refuse to stay in an established campsite in Yosemite anymore.

Some non-informed folks feed bears, and/or if food isn’t secured properly in a campground then bears can get access to food. Once the bears learn that the campground is a place to find food, it’s no surprise they visit it regularly.

In many places, I feel the backcountry is much safer than established campgrounds for bear activity…

Interesting comment. That theory should probably be explored.

I am an avid hunter, fisher and all around outdoor freak. I have spent most of my life outdoors, I think a lot of comments are from people thinking with a bleeding heart. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t find it necessary to kill just to kill, I hunt to eat and fish to relax. I have spent up to a month at a time camping in Yellowstone, and it is really not the place to camp for novice city people. It’s a wonderful place to visit, but if you don’t know what you’re doing you need to stay at one of the many hotels/motels available in that area. Even moutwash can attract a bear…when you’re in the wild you are putting yourself at risk just as I do when I’m out. Everytime I go out I never feel prepared enough for what mother nature can conjure up, you just have to deal with it. I love nature and feel for the families, but those people put themselves at risk. Unfortunately the bear will die, this is a fact. We as humans need to take every precaution necessary when in the forest, these people may or may have not, it’s irrevalant now, but maybe it will open some eyes and keep some of the people that don’t need to be in the woods in the city (where they belong).

Good thoughts, Steve. There must be an accepted risk any time you go out into nature. In this case, the campers were in established campsites (not in the backcountry), so I think this is a case where it was one of two things: a freak occurrence or perhaps a startling new trend. Might be a bit of both. Regardless, sometimes when man meets nature on nature’s terms, the outcomes aren’t the best. This was a sad story for certain.