Report Released On August Fatal Bear Attack In Yellowstone

The National Park Service investigative report issued by Yellowstone National Park and a Board of Review report issued by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee on the August 2011 fatal bear attack in Yellowstone have been released to the public. The body of 59-year old John Wallace of Chassell, Michigan, was discovered Friday, August 26, 2011, along the Mary Mountain Trail in Hayden Valley. The report includes details regarding the investigation and autopsy, which confirmed that Wallace died of traumatic injuries from a grizzly bear attack.

The Board of Review report is available online at http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/grizzly/yellowstone.htm.

The complete National Park Service Investigative Report covering this incident has also been released. It is available online at http://www.nps.gov/aboutus/foia/foia-frd.htm.

These have been two really bad years in a row for Yellowstone with regard to bear attacks. I really hope 2012 turns out a lot better. As much of a pain in the ass as bear-spray is, you'll never catch me hiking in Montana or Wyoming without it. It shocks me that someone who really knew the area as well as the news claims would go without it after there were 2 or 3 people killed by grizzlies in the area during the 2010 season.