Hiker mauled to death by bear in US national park

A GRIZZLY bear killed a hiker and hoisted his terrified wife into the air before leaving her uninjured during the first fatal attack at America's Yellowstone National Park in 25 years.

Officials said the 57-year-old man was mauled to death after the female bear reacted to a perceived threat to her young cubs.

Although it is the first deadly attack at the popular park since 1986, it is the third in the wider region in little over a year, prompting fears that the growing numbers of bears and walkers in and around the park could see further encounters.

The attack comes close to peak season for tourists at the 3,500 square mile park in western America's mountainous region, home to the Old Faithful geyser. It has experienced a boom in recent years, with a record 3.6 million visitors flocking to the park last year to take in its natural beauty.

But bear numbers have also swelled - it is thought that between 600 and 1,000 now roam the area.

Diane Shober, director of Wyoming's Travel and Tourism agency, said: "This is a wild and natural park. At the same time, the likelihood of this happening again is small."

Park officials have been quick to stress that attacks by grizzlies are rare, but yesterday one of the park's busiest areas was closed as rangers tried to track the female grizzly blamed for the attack. Busloads of tourists normally gather to take in the view from Artist Point, one of the park's most iconic areas, where a stunning waterfall drops hundreds of feet in the canyon. Trails along canyon rims are normally filled with tourists.

It is thought that the victim and his wife first saw the bear on Wednesday morning during a hike, but opted to continue walking. On a second sighting, the grizzly charged the pair, causing the man to tell his wife to run. Their identities were not being released until family members were informed.

According to park officials, the woman did not see the mauling of her husband as she fled. After attacking the man, the bear then chased down his wife, who dropped to the floor to protect herself. The grizzly picked her up by her backpack before dropping her to the ground.

Her ordeal eventually ended after she nearby walkers heard her cries and managed to use her mobile phone to call for help. It is believed she escaped with minor cuts and bruises. Her husband died as a result of injuries caused by the animal.

Grizzly bears can grow to be six feet tall and weigh as much as 40 stone. Experts say they are among the most aggressive bear type, with reports of them taking off a man's face with a single swipe of a paw.

Even so, attacks on humans are rare and in most cases are prompted by a perceived threat to a female's young.Last June, a man was killed just outside the perimeter of Yellowstone by a bear that had recently been re-released into the wild.

A month later a second hiker was mauled to death at a campground close to the park.

The grizzly responsible for the latest fatal incident has not been caught.

But officials sought to reassure tourists over the rarity of such an attack. Chuck Coon, of Wyoming's state tourism agency, said: "What happened here hasn't happened for a quarter-century."

Visitors were being advised to stay in groups of three or more to protect themselves and to make loud noises in places where they think bears may be.

Experts suggest that if a bear is encountered, humans should back away slowly but not run, and to drop to the ground and shield their neck if attacked.