Bear kills solo hiker near Yellowstone, officials say. Grizzly tracks seen near body

A woman found dead on a trail west of Yellowstone National Park died in an encounter with a bear, Montana officials reported.

Another hiker reported finding the woman’s body on the Buttermilk Trail 8 miles west of the town of West Yellowstone at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said in a news release.

The body had injuries consistent with a bear attack, the release said. Tracks from a grizzly bear and at least one cub were found nearby.

Investigators did not find a daybed or spot bears in the area, officials said.

The woman appeared to be hiking alone, officials said. They did not find firearms or bear spray at the scene.

Her family identified Amie Adamson, 47, of Derby, Kansas, as the woman killed in the attack, “Good Morning America” reported.

Adamson was on a morning hike while working for the season at Yellowstone National Park, her mother, Janet Adamson, told the show.

“Every morning, she’d get up early, and she’d walk, hike or run. Running through that beauty of Yellowstone — she was almost in heaven. She died doing what she loved,” Janet Adamson said, according to WLS.

Amie Adamson left her job as a teacher in 2015 to write a book about backpacking across the United States, according to WLS.

An emergency closure has been issued for the Buttermilk area by the Custer Gallatin National Forest, McClatchy News reported. The closure runs through Aug. 25 unless rescinded.

The order prohibits all human entry, rangers said.

Bears can be found throughout Montana, and the grizzly population has expanded in recent years, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks said.

What to do if you see a bear

Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.

There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.

• Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening.

• Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.

• Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.

• Pick up small children: Don’t let kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.

• Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.

• Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.

• Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.

• Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.

• Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.

• Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.

This story was originally published July 24, 2023 at 12:52 PM with the headline "Bear kills solo hiker near Yellowstone, officials say. Grizzly tracks seen near body."