I agree with you - and they don't dispose of waste/trash at all....or they do it incorrectly.

Over the past few days I've been wondering - Does the government keep a list of how many visitors go to each park and to which camping area and how many people are in the vehicle/rv and what trails are they using? Because I would really be interested in knowing has camping really exploded or are people just hiking further into areas when years ago they didn't or are there just that many more people in the U.S. or is there a birth explosion in bears, or are there more housing developments/fencing...etc. There HAS to be black and white answers to this and if not they really need to get some.

In our part of the country there has been an explosion of bear population in the FL panhandle. When we bought our beach house you hardly ever saw a bear. Now we see them all the time even in our yard. FL doesn't have a bear hunting season.

When will people realize that when you go into the woods you are just part of the food chain. Why did the bears attack these people? Because they were hungry. You are just another piece of meat to the bear. People leave garbage from eating around their site and attract the bears so why don't they think they are food also. It's a shame that the bears have to be removed because of people's stupidity. The Mother has to die for this and the cubs will be in captivity. Just move them somewhere deeper into the woods and let them go.

Stupid humans...

If you break into the bears homes and/or don't respect the rules of nature, what do you expect?

If you know anything about the bears in the Yellowstone area, the one you see being fed are not grizzlies. Those are the black bears. It is illegal now to feed the bear and has been for the last 15 to 20 years. Grizzlies are usually noctural and are away for the tourist traffic. You normally have to go looking for grizzlies. These bears are so much larger than the black and brown bears you see around the tourist area. I wouldn't blame the people though. This is very unusual. We may never know why the bear did this. But to blame the people without havin some evidence is stupid. They were in tents sleeping which is hardly provoking.

One more bear has died and her cubs will now live in captivity. A sad commentary on the human race. We must stop intruding on mother natures domain. There are few thousand bears on the planet and 6 billion people on the planet (I vote for the bears). If humans want to visit areas where there are bears, mountain lions, coyotes, wolves, etc then they should be prepared to defend themselves with non-life threatening weapons such as mace, or stay the hell out of the woods.

I highly doubt it was unprovoked and plus you cant blame the bears for us humans going where bears have lived for thousands of years. All 3 of them should have been killed because once again I highly doubt it was unprovoked

How do you know they were "breaking the rules"?

The fact that they got close enough to be attacked... was breaking the rules of nature that Angela LD was talking about. If you get close enough to a wild animal that it can attack you... you get what you get, sometimes you don't get attacked, sometimes you do. But don't blame the wild animal for doing what it does when you're in it's home. Wild animals are dangerous, it's common sense, and if you don't have any common sense, don't worry, Darwin will be there to take care of you.

Do not go into the woods where there are fricken bears and sleep with a piece of nylon around you. Sorry, I'm with the bears....one beautiful creature gone and two cubs locked up.

TBenton, Congratulations, you have just joined the large group of morons in this world.

It's Bush's fault, just ask Obama.

Dear CS Bill,

Why should the human beings defend themselves with "non-life threatening" weapons? The bears obviously have built in deadly weaponry. We should be allowed to defend ourselves by any means necessary in a confrontation with any wild animal. And there are way more than a few thousand bears on the planet. But, if we are going to try to occupy the same habitat on occasion, we should be mindful of the dangers and avoid interaction with bears for everyone's benefit. Human beings are part of the ecosystem just like all other animals and this notion that we have less right to be in the woods is mistaken. We are the dominant species because of our intellect, but unarmed, we are very vulnerable in a mixed use habitat like the forest. And pepper spray may stop a bear but it may not. Just ask Jack Hanna how concerned he was when faced with bears on a trail this last week. It was a close encounter that fortunately ended well for everyone, but it could just as easily have been another bad experience for someone. There was a man killed and two other people mauled in this story. There was a mother grizzly killed and three grizzly cubs survived. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to learn that the mother grizzly was incredibly hungry given that she had three cubs to provide for. You just never know. At least two of the cubs were rescued and will be cared for in a zoo and it looks like maybe the third cub was also rounded up. That's better than shooting them or leaving them to starve on their own or be killed by other animals. Life is often not fair. It's often ruthless. And human beings should not be considered second class residents of the planet with less value as individuals than the animals. We are animals too after all.

Dear Cathy in Washington, You are correct !NOT! Humans can choose the habitat they wish to be in, Bears etc can not. That is the difference between us and the animal kingdom. We choose where we want to go and many times it is where we endanger ourselves. Therefore we should at least respect the animals right to live and the best way to do that is stay out of the woods or use non-life threatening weapons.

If the sow is not killed and another attack on a human is linked to her with DNA the out cry will be that why was this bear allowed to attack humans again. There would likely be law suits and the bear would be killed at that time but it may have cost another life.

Living in NYC it is amazing that when I think some people won't go into certain neighborhoods after dark because they consider them to rough. But yet they will go sleep in the woods with dangerous animals. It is not like this is unheard of it happens all the time. Look at that guy that lived with bears and when thy wanted to they killed him. They are not the smartest animals and they live on instinct so they did what they needed to-eat.

Common Sense Bill, your posts are among the most sensible I've seen on here.

I'm not an animal lover by any stretch of the imagination, but if you go camping in areas where there are wild animals, surprise surprise! You might get eaten.

oh my god. u camp in a tent in a bears back garden.

u got wot u deserve. i have 4 "domestic" dogs in a fenced yard. they are tame as anything, until u step in their yard.

Poor momma bear, and poor cubs. Leave getting close to bears to professionals, even they get attacked.

if you don't want to get attacked by bears camp somewhere safe'

a-holes

People who live their entire lives in cities are missing out. People who refuse to use deadly force to protect their lives or their loved ones are just plain stupid.

Stupid Angela LD,

How do you know they were "breaking the rules"? This lady said they were following all the rules regarding bears. What is the basis of your stupid remark?

-----------------------------------------------

Why am I not surprised you failed to understand the 'reasoning' behind my wording...?

Must be a product of a 'public' school...

They had to put the bear down. The bear had tasted human blood and would delibrately hunt down more humans and kill them and eat them. That means humans in populated areas. If it wasn't for that, they would have just relocated the bear away from any human trafficing areas.

It's not the taste of human blood, it's that we are stupid and easy to kill. At least the ones who sleep in a tent, in bear country, and refuse to use deadly force if threatened. I agree the mother had to go down. I feel for her cubs though. Poor things will be stuck behind walls from now on.

In Africa, when a lion turns into a man-eater, they put it down. In America, when a bear is put down for turning into a man-eater, people scream at the injustice of it. The report was that the momma bear was teaching her cubs to attack humans. Bears wander all over the place. Do you REALLY want four grizzlies wandering in and out of human towns eating people???

Rebecca

Very good point. From all I have read and heard, grizzlies do not attack unprovoked, as this one did. And they do teach their cubs who learn very quickly. I think it is very sad that this bear had to be put down, but hopefully the cubs will be saved.

Trent i truly hope someone see's you in one of your murdered animal coats and spits on you.

That said I am not a tree hugger and I believe in people hunting for food and to keep population down but this is sic these bears do what is in there nature to do and human beings are so damm arogant that we think we could walk into there homes and they won't touch us.

This is also the fault of human being's feeding wild animals. Everyone thinks it is so great to feed poor wild animals. Well look what you get now. Animals are not afraid of humans as much as they used to be. If you feed a wild animal you are taking away there sense to find food on there own. Same thing with humans When people send money to buy food for poor people in other countries That teaches them to be dependent. Take that money and buy things for them to depend on themselves.

They had to put the bear down. The bear had tasted human blood and would delibrately hunt down more humans and kill them and eat them.

Most childen, when they scrape their hand, what's the first thing they do? Put the cut in their mouth and suck on it. Should we put them down too? Are they destined to become cannibals as well? Is human flesh that good that once anything tastes it they will be like vampires and have a thrist for more blood?

are you for real or is this a joke?

OK, I say kill every bear on earth. They serve no purpose but to kill other helpless animals. They are smelly, cruel predators that begin to eat BEFORE their prey is dead. Naturalists who have believed otherwise are bear poop. "Stupid Humans"? Yep!

To Angela LD.....you are so right!! Fianlly some common sense in all of this.......I agree 100%

So humans should be confined to the city? They're friggin animals that attacked a human-in a campground-at-night-when they were sleeping. Don't get all hung up on the territorial thing.

They are wild animals, we make the choice to enter their domain....enter at your own risk. I think it is sad that the mother has to die for the choices humans make. And you can study grizzy behavior all you want, you are never going to be able to predict everything about it....so stay away from them!

If every bear on the planet must die to insure no human dies, then nasty break to the bruins.

So humans should be confined to the city? They're friggin animals that attacked a human-in a campground-at-night-when they were sleeping. Don't get all hung up on the territorial thing.

Point out where I stated that humans should be confined to the city.

These people were in known bear territory, they elected to take the risk of possibly encountering wildlife and they did. The bear didn't show up in suburbia, knock on the door and maul these people when they answered the door, they entered its domain and now the mother and the cubs are facing the repercussions of the human's decision.

Don't stick your finger in the oil to see if it is hot and complain when you get burned.

To all who claim humans should not be in "bear habitat", all of the USA, except Hawaii, was once bear habitat. Blacks almost all over, grizzlies in the west. Should we evacuate all of North America?

Projecting I am with you. It is a shame this mother bear will be killed and yes, one person in the story did get it:

"It's a great spot, but you have to realize we're in their home. We're part of the food chain," Pat Froelich, 75, said as she watched the trucks haul the grizzlies from town as she ate breakfast at the Bear Claw Bakery.

I really can't believe that they would not re-locate the bear and family.

Yes. We allow them to stay in a park preserved for humans to enjoy and see how the earth used to be and to hopefully impose some responsibilities into us to continue to preserve and maintain wildlife. Humans have become responsible enough to stop killing endangered species. Species we USED to hunt for food to the brink of exstinction. We ARE responsible for their lives and furture. We NEED to protect THEM by protecting ourselves. The Grizzlies are not smart enough to say "Dont kill humans, you will go to the zoo". I can tell you that the freedom of the cubs and the life of the mother is not worth the losses that would come about if they only seek humans as food and begin spreading this trait. The Park depends on turism, it depends on safety for both human and animals, and I can confidently say that the Grizzlies DEPEND on this park for their life and for the lives of their offspring.

I would really like to hear alternatives to what they are doing. I am sure its been thought out by scientists for about 50 years how to handle a situation like this.

Projecting....excuse me, but if a human kills someone, don't they get locked up? What should they do....leave the bears out there to continue their attacks? It is obvious that there was something wrong with this sow to go after the humans in this manner, so unfortunately she will have to be put down. Such is life.

if you don't want to be attacked by a bear then DON"T GO IN BEAR COUNTRY!!!!!

people make laws of animals NOT FOR THEM!!!!

So because humans were, for lack of a better term, intruding on the bear's habitat the result is the cubs will be removed from nature and forced to live out their lives in captivity and the adult will be killed.

The cubs have been taught to kill humans they should be removed from nature and threatening humans. The mother needs to be killed to be tested for illness because it was acting atypical. If there is something making bears sick and might possibly affect other animals it needs to be stopped early. It's one bear people - that attacked people and killed one. Deal, sheesh. I love bears and nature, but let's get a little perspective. They are not even endangered. If you care about something, go stop wineries from destroying burrowing owl habitat. Thanks.

If every bear on the planet must die to insure no human dies, then nasty break to the bruins.

Tom - way to go on the screaming girlie drama.

Projecting....excuse me, but if a human kills someone, don't they get locked up? What should they do....leave the bears out there to continue their attacks? It is obvious that there was something wrong with this sow to go after the humans in this manner, so unfortunately she will have to be put down. Such is life.

Since when are animals subject to human laws? The comparison makes absolutely zero sense at all

SERIOUSLY!! How about we stay out of their homes and then this wont happen anymore. These bears live, bathe, sleep, @!$%# and eat/HUNT in these parks. Humans invade what little territory they have for the joy of "camping" and get attacked. What do they expect? They leave food all over, humans have a certain smell (or stench) anyway - it all attracts the bears. Then what? People get attacked and the bears have to die. It's ridiculous. Camp elsewhere you fools.

kaara,

What is wrong with that bear is that she was following the scent of food, but had her cubs with her, so when she realized humans were around, being just a dumb bear, she switched to attack mode. Should that bear still be killed?

We do rule it however apparently you haven't figured that one out yet.

No humans shouldn't be confined to the city but there are many areas where there are no dangerous animals. These areas are fine for camping, hiking, photography, etc. When you intrude on a dangerous animals grounds you are possibly going to have a problem. When food is cooked or consumed animals, whose sense of smell is much better than ours, smells food and reacts accordingly. While I have great sympathy for those attacked, the bear was in its natural habitat and did what comes naturally - unless it is proved that she was sick. I hope the cubs adapt to whatever zoo they are sent to.

Torn-kill every bear to save a siingle human, your bright. So by that reasoning we should kill all humans to keep them from killing other humans. duh!

Kaara-if a human kills someone. So lets project laws that we use for humans to bears. First it must pass the competancy test. Like when a slow person kills someone and cannot be tried under the law for mental incompetancy. So I guess the bear falls here with it's I.Q.. The bear probably attacked these people because they had food in the tent and then the bear got startled when it went for it and was protecting it's cubs. At tht point they just became food. Don't complain when an animal ACTS LIKE AN ANIMAL. You cannot predict it's behavior and you don't know what was in it's head but it did what it was supposed to do. Feed and protect it's young.

Darn bears,

I know somewhere there is a pissed off cannibal.

Nice comment. Would you repeat it to the victim's mother?

So frustrating, reading these comments.

These campers were not intruding or antagonizing the bears. They were in a developed campground. At least the one woman was an avid camper- she knows the rules for camping in the vicinity of wildlife. She also had bear spray- but what good does a weapon do when a 300 pound bear is on top of you and actively attacking, and you cannot see or reach the spray or the gun or knife or whatever, which wouldn't make much of a dent with all her anger and adrenaline and god knows what else pumping through her?

She cannot be relocated. She will continue to hunt people. Not only that, she will continue to produce cubs and teach them, and they will teach theirs, and on and on. She attacked three unrelated people at three unrelated campsites. This is not because the people did something wrong, so stop blaming them for a freak thing. How many people camp a year, dispersed and in developed campgrounds, and get attacked like this??

There was something wrong with her, and if it's not something physical, we'll probably never figure it out. This isn't a debate over human superiority and intelligence. Animals suffer the same physical and mental issues that plague humans- and sick animals are vastly more dangerous than non-sick ones. Not to forget the possibility of rabies. Something is wrong. And like you do with your dog and cat, when something is wrong, and they are incurably sick, you euthanize. Add a public safety or severe health risk- the decision is not debatable. So yes, the ONLY thing to do was to unfortunately humanely end her life. And yea, that is completely awful and sad.

And, dear god, all you people going off about camping in general! How can you just sit in your city home or apartment and never venture out? What a waste your life is.

As for the cubs, I heavily believe they should be euthanized, too. I know people are in an uproar now. I work with animals daily, I'm a vegetarian, conservationist, whatever. But I do not see how confining them to a small enclosure for the rest of their lives, where they will now be surrounded by people all the time- after their mother has already taught them to hunt and kill and eat people- will be psychologically ok. I believe that, 15 years from now, one of them will be in the news for killing a zoo keeper. And as pointed out above, relocation is not feasible.

Again, these people didn't build a house in the middle of the woods and encroach on their home. They didn't walk up to the mother while they were hiking to try and get a better picture, or try and pet the cubs. Food in the tent wouldn't be enough to make her want to kill and eat everyone. You can't demand camping and hiking become illegal because YOU are too scared to leave the city.

For added knowledge, go watch Ghost and the Darkness.

Lou you are right on topic! I believe this to be the best post about this subject! I don't care for animals that kill and maim humans, whether it is a grizzly bear, kangaroo or the neighbor's dog. Like it or not "it's their habitat" whiners--it hasn't been their habitat for a very long time-centuries (re: native Americans, cavemen, etc) and their need for hunting and human survival. How would you feel if the deceased or horribly injured victims were members of YOUR family? Bet that bear would be a target for a deadly dart gun that couldn't shoot fast enough. As for me, the momma would be a rug on my floor or sold for it's hide. I know all three cubs would be eliminated. All three cubs are trained killers. "Ghost and the Darkness" indeed. Once a mankiller, always a mankiller.

So, to make sure everyone's safe, we eliminate nature... the very thing those people were trying to see... because we believe we should be able to get out into nature and not be cooped up in cities... but... when there's no nature left, we won't be able to get out into nature anyway... damn paradoxes.

I thought you were not allowed to camp in tents in Yellowstone for this reason. Too easy for bears to get to you. Nylon absorbs smells- like deodorant, soap and not just food odors. If it smells different, bears will seek it out to find out what the new food is. The worse you smell the less likely they will bother you but soap, deodorant, toothpaste etc- the things we use to keep us smelling and feeling "human' is often attractive to wild creatures. It is a national park- there are warnings and signs everywhere about bears and other wild animals. Our scout troop hiked and camped at Philmont, NM. We had to go through a special bear training program before we left which also included helpful hints like don't cook dinner in the clothes you are going to wear to bed; don't keep those clothes in your tent and so much more. Still it looks like from this story that the bears were hunting-a natural thing for bears to do- but once they taste human flesh, like any other prey, they will continue to seek it and identify it as a food source. It is unfortunate for the bears and the humans as well to have things end this way but there is NO WAY I would EVER camp in an area like this in a TENT. All that is is a wrapper for them to peel you out of before they eat you.

I have camped before and I also feel that it is a shame that a bear should lose its life, however I do not believe that they have another option. The way I see it, while humans should not be restricted to the city, steps should also be taken to prevent humans expanding yet more into the wilds - present green belts should be maintained in order that wild animals retain some territory and are less likely to come into contact with humans.

In addition, humans should have it rammed into their brains that you do not feed wild animals, you do not litter and you store food and other scented items in bear-proof containers when camping in areas that have bears. Wild animals should be given the chance to continue to live an existance with little to no contact with humans and humans that ARE guilty of attracting bears into areas such as campgrounds should be heavily fined.

If this bear is not found to have some illness or something causing this unusual behaviour, I can only imagine that she has had previous encounters with humans and their debris that had led her to believe that they were a likely food source, even though the poor individuals concerned had stored their provision correctly (from what I am given to understand).

So because humans were, for lack of a better term, intruding on the bear's habitat the result is the cubs will be removed from nature and forced to live out their lives in captivity and the adult will be killed.

Well, when bears are making the rules, maybe circumstances will change.

Project much - I realize that you feel differently, but the majority of people in this country feel otherwise. The bears, a sow and three cubs, intentionally targeted campers in a legal camp ground, in one of our national parks and they had to be dealt with.

A national park is land set aside to allow the citizens to enjoy nature in relatively safe manner. If you obey the rules, there should be no expectation that you will be mauled, killed and eaten by wild animals.

Lou - why are we assuming the bear was hunting humans? It could have easily just been following food. The fact that it has cubs actually explains the attack, as Sarah Palin so eloquently puts it, don't mess with mama grizzlies. Just seems like a tragic encounter, not some science fiction plotline where the bears rise up and blow up the statue of liberty.

Well, when bears are making the rules, maybe circumstances will change.

Again, the arrogance that we, as a species, are entitled to "own" all that our eyes behold.

Project much - I realize that you feel differently, but the majority of people in this country feel otherwise. The bears, a sow and three cubs, intentionally targeted campers in a legal camp ground, in one of our national parks and they had to be dealt with.

Actually, I fail to see any evidence of this "majority" of which you speak. In fact, I don't even see a majority opinion one way or another on this thread, but go ahead and proclaim whatever statistics make you happy.

A national park is land set aside to allow the citizens to enjoy nature in relatively safe manner. If you obey the rules, there should be no expectation that you will be mauled, killed and eaten by wild animals.

"Relatively" precluding "safe" is the key here. When you are dealing with nature there is absolutely ZERO resonable expectation that a wild animal will follow any typical behavior pattern. Further, if there was "no expectation that you will be mauled, killed and eaten by wild animals" then why are there signs throughout these parks warning of the dangers of encountering a wild animal. Again, campers know (or at least should) that they are taking a risk when sleeping in the wild, national park or not, of encountering a large, dangerous animal.

Actually, I fail to see any evidence of this "majority" of which you speak. In fact, I don't even see a majority opinion one way or another on this thread, but go ahead and proclaim whatever statistics make you happy.

I'm not speaking of the majority of opinions expressed here. I am speaking of the majority, as in the laws enacted in our country through the democratic principal of majority rules. The National Park system is designed for the enjoyment of all U.S. Citizens and lawful visitors and

Yes, the campers should know that they are taking a risk, just a I know driving on the highway presents a risk. But the park services are also responsible for minimizing these risks.

Even wild animals do follow predictable behavior patterns for their species and most bears do avoid contact with humans. But when a rogue bear behaves as this sow did, intentionally targeting humans, it needs to be eliminated, and if that makes some fools wring their hands and mouth platitudes about animal rights, well "boo hoo!".

Necropsy not autopsy. Humans get an autopsy, non humans get a necropsy. Get the terms right.

To Toosano........you asked if humans should be confined to the city....and not get all hung up on this territorial thing???? Actually that might not be a bad idea!! People with your mentality should not be around wild animals.......and how about we stop tearing up the places they live just to put in another subdivision or a road that we could do without!!! If you don't want to risk an encounter with a bear, stay home and let people with real respect for other living and breathing animals and who have educated themselves on bears or whatever, go and experience nature at its best! We have to peacefully co-exsist with our neighbors who live free and who pose no threat to us until we give them a reason to feel threatened!!!

Sarah - So sad is the guy that died and the other innocent people sleeping in their tents. You feel so sorry for an aggresive bear that is a killer, why don't you camp out and get attacked and then tell everyone how you feel.

I don't go tent camping because I don't want to take the chance of being attacked. I do feel bad for the families that have to deal with this, HOWEVER, they knew it was a possiblity that it could happen when they pitched the tent in the bear's yard.

Carol, they're not innocent people in tents, they're food. Just trying to prove a point, the rules of humans do not apply in remote areas where other large mammals live their lives daily. What would happen if a grizzly bear was seen running down 42nd Street, you'd think it strange wouldn't you? Well i'm sure bears are curious about humans in their territory and react in many different ways.

The reason this bear is being put down isn't as some retributive thing. It's because they're linking it to both the death of one camper (who wasn't just killed in defense btw - he was fed upon) and mauling of two others. Not only is it a predator of humans at this point, but it's also potentially carrying disease and (unfortunately) putting the thing down is the easiest way to verify what diseases it may be carrying and what the mauled campers might need to be made aware of.

Personally, I'd put down the cubs as well if it can be proven they fed on human meat as well.

So would you say the park could be responsible for allowing people to camp there? From your comments, the victim's had been warned this area is the bear's home, so they should know better.

The bears are in a home we maintain for them by funds from turists. We allows the grizzliles to stay in these parks because they cannot live anywhere else. Those that are dangerous and kill humans will ultimately harm their species more than help. get rid of them and it will be best for their species. yes, its very sad, but the first thing that comes to mind is the horrible event the campers went through. Humans suffor more than animals. We know when were going to die, we know when our family is going to die, and we know we cannot do anything about it. Trust me this bear is not suffering and will NOT suffer like the camper and his family. Although I did think of the bears second.

It disgusts me that they are going to kill the mother bear. These campers were in the bears home. I am sure there is more to this story that the victims aren't sharing. So sad.

No, these were bears in a human camp ground. We'll let the poor widdle bear go when you and your kids are out camping next time and see how sad you are then. And the rest of the story the victims aren't' sharing... they will never get over this, they will suffer PTSD for the rest of their lives.

Sarah - really? You're joking, right?

I don't go tent camping because I don't want to take the chance of being attacked.

Ohh, this explains a lot now. Really you need to get out more. Bears are not in camp grounds, camp grounds are not their "natural" setting, there wilderness home, this is not normal, these bears are not normal, hence they need to be removed. Like an intruder in your home. Bears don't like people and they don't want to be around them.

I don't think your reading it right Joman, this was a campground INSIDE a park where bears live normally.

It could be as simple as the guy leaving food out at night, which would raw the bear.s If he wakes up while their sniffing or eating, guess what, he's next. Bears WILL attack humans, we just aren't part of their normal diet.

I have gone tent camping in bear country (Tetons, Yellowstone). The rangers are generally all over the campers making sure that NOTHING is left out to attract bears or wolves. The site that the attacks happened was a relatively small camp site (27 sites) and pretty remote. The man that was killed was unfortunately in the most dangerous situation in bear country, alone and isolated from everyone else.

First time campers in bear country need to understand the risk before they go camping. I must have read the equivalent of 2 books on the subject before I went... I also chose to camp in a large campground with 10 family members and was fanatic about leaving nothing out (a standing rule whenever we camp is NEVER take food into the tent, even if we are just in the backyard).

The wilderness is dangerous, even if you are careful. I for one prefer it that way. The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone are spectacularly beautiful and I would camp there again in a heartbeat. If you don't want to accept the terms, you can always go to the zoo.

Carol AZ is an idiot.

Bleeding hearts...

Carol and Andy - there is nothing "bleeding heart" about this. There is a recognition that humans don't own and control the world. We have to learn to co-exist with nature - that's reality. And, when you are in an area with wild animals you have to take extra precautions. I feel horribly that people where injured and one killed. But, there is a problem when we intrude into a dangerous creatures domain. There are often repercussions and it's unfortunate that anyone or anything has to die.

The further you go into the wilderness the more you are not recognized by nature. Now you may scare the squirrels because of your size but even a badger will fight you for food in the back woods. And take a good piece of flesh if you fight back. This nonsense we'll let the bears go when your camping is stupid. First most of these campers don't know how to survive and the rules in the back country. These bears were called in by scent as they do not see well. So when they come in it's because humans did something wrong.

As to killing the Mother it's in captivity you don't have to kill it to do blood tests for disease. If it's clean relocate it. The cubs now have to go to a zoo due to the fact that they will not learn how to survive on their own.

There should be a test given to people who want to camp in remote areas on how to handle themselves and keep their camp curiosity free.

And to all the people who say you camp with these bears-tell me-Would you set up a tent in a bear cage in a zoo? Then why would you do it where bears have no contact with humans and you are only considered food.

Carol... all bears are killers... so are sharks and wolves... this has nothing to do with them killing people. To the bear it is just another thing to eat and if you're in the woods you know you're on the menu no matter what you tell people after you get attacked

Dann K... The man was fed upon in bear territory... if he was in new york city it would justify the killing of the mother and cubs... but the sad truth is he was still in prime bear country and every person that goes there is on the menu... period

The further you go into the wilderness the more you are not recognized by nature

That's what this article is trying to explain, and that is what we are tying to get at here. These bears DID recognize people. It was training her cubs to hunt man as food. My guess is this grizzly already was habitualized somewhere down the line to associate man with food. Small cross over to man as food.

Yes that's the answer. You can shoot the bears and anyone else you feel is a threat, i.e., small children you can't see in the brush, people walking by that you could mistake for something dangerous. Yep, just shoot everything.

Cindy - shush up. the people were sleeping. the bear is rogue and needs to be euthanized. if it were your kids that got attacked you wouldn't be so understanding of the poor 300+ pound wild bear.

I will reiterate. The people who were attacked were in the BEARS home! People should educate themselves about the dangers of the wilderness. If it were one of my family members, I would have understood the danger and attempted to educate them. The poor bear was just protecting her young. I guess for an animal that is a death sentence because "humans" were involved.

Hey Cindy- bears are a species; individual bears just don't measure up to humans. Humans are individuals; cognizant beings with souls. Some have jeopardized these souls by making dangerous value judgments. Humans have the right to fend off the bears. If spray doesn't work, then guns. If guns don't work, then RPGs, flamethrowers, silly posts, whatever it takes.

Thank you for having good sense.

So here is my compromise. The next time a human attacks another human unprovoked we should euthanize them and do an autopsy and see if we can determine why they did it. Might tell us more about the stupid race that we are.

Only if you shoot yourself to protect the bears.

I lived 24 years outside of Glacier Park Montana. I would never bring a gun into National Parks. We stay in the car and enjoy the view.

This is the way they do it in Africa for the unexperienced. Only the experienced go out with the big game because it is dangerous.

The bear was not protecting her young. The people were in tents, asleep when they were attacked. The bear needs to be killed because it now sees humans as easy prey, much easier to kill than a deer or other wild animal.

The bear went in the tent to forage and when the people woke up they probably screamed and startled the bear. At this poit the bear was in a protective mode.

Carrying a firearm will not protect you from a bear while you sleep... if you dont want the risk stay in your nice warm bed at home

Cindy - shush up. the people were sleeping.

And sleeping people shouldn't be shooting at anything... I like shooters to be awake and at the very least looking at what they are shooting thank you very much.

Clearly, you don't.

Cindy, you're absolutely right dear. What don't these people get??? When you go into THEIR home, you are subject to getting attacked. These are wild ani-mals. They're not trained nor are they pets - and even then, they're still liable to attack humans. Camp elsewhere, damn. How hard is it? Go somewhere where there aren't grizzly bears. Animals are dying because of stupid humans that have no business being there in the first place.

Your a trip Cindy..Keep thinking fluffy puppy dog and rainbow thoughts.

Andy and Toosano - clearly neither of you has a clue.

I think they are the only ones that hava a clue! The bears partially ate a man! Many of you don't seem to get that.

I love animals as much or more than any bleeding heart but it's funny to see those that say we are subject to the bears when in their habitat. I don't care where I am, including someone's house, if something is trying to eat me I will respond naturally by defending myself- whether with a gun, knife, or fighting to my last ounce of strength. Many people make it sound like it's okay for a bear to get itself into a situation and act naturally but not a human. Yes, we heard that the humans were in THEIR territory but if this sow was left she would eventually be killed by someone who was prepared for her to come along- as humans fund their habitat. It is likely there could be something wrong with her. Recently a Siberian tiger (an actual endangered animal) in the far east of Russia had to be killed- she had a neurological disease that has not yet been identified. It really sucks cause she was the last of the 60 radio monitored tigers since 1992 that people were trying to protect. She was a danger to humans, as she was shot down because she was preying on a village, likely in or near her territory. In addition she was a contagious threat to other tigers! What if this bear incident is not investigated and all the bears become ill like these tigers may have become from initial 'overprotection'. I think the people handling the situation might know a bit more about population epidemiology monitoring than some of the emoticons out there. If you really love animals learn about how to really protect them.

2blunt...we get it, but these folks were in the bear's territory with food. Its the chance you take.

I wish tent camping in national parks was not allowed. Perhaps, they'd be less loss of wildlife.

I wish tent camping in national parks was not allowed

The campground was outside the park.

The bears partially ate a man!

So what? There's no law in nature that is against that. They are incapible of understanding laws or commandments such as "thou shalt not kill"... no, they are wild animals. Those rules are for us who can understand them, not for them who can't. Humans are nothing more than part of the food chain as far as any wild animal is concerned. The bear did nothing more than what wild bears do. If you don't want the risk of wild animals doing that to you, then I suggest you stay away from them!

Executed? The bear is not a criminal or rogue; it's a dangerous bear too conditioned to humankind. We will not dispatch this bear for what it did; we will dispatch it so it cannot repeat its action.

"I'm sure she was only acting to protect her cubs."

Her cubs were not in danger. The people were sleeping.The mother bear took her cubs there to feed.

"Interaction with wildlife is something campers should expect and they may need to know proper Bear avoidance techniques."

Bear Avoidance Techniques? THEY WERE SLEEPING!

Any animal is most dangerous when it is confused and with it's young. House cats will protect their young.

The bear was NOT protecting its young. The people attacked were asleep in tents.

AGAIN, the bear was in the tent foraging and when the people woke up and probably screamed the bear went into a protective mode.

Did no one watch the interview with the survivor? She was sound asleep and woke a split second before the bear attacked her. Where does anyone get the 'protecting the young' theory? Wildlife don't break into tents and forage when nothing's there- and if any of the people involved had done something to bring the bears into the tent or cause the bears to attack, the wildlife personnel and the park would have been the first to cite that. People and wildlife mix constantly, either hiking or camping or living, and typically maintain a respectable distance. This had nothing to do with food chain rank or people invading habitats.

Ban all camping? What is wrong with you people? Seriously? A freak accident caused by a bear obviously not well, and everyone goes into an insane, chaotic panic. If your idea of a vacation is resort hotels in heavily populated cities, so be it. Enjoy. Deal with murder and robery and rape, prostitution, drugs, the flu, colds, massive headaches, strep, malaria (a risk more prominent than wildlife attacks, I'll point out), and e-coli from the cooks, and all that goes with people, without having to hear those who prefer seclusion and natural wonders demanding an end to hotels. Unfreaking-believeable.

Where does anyone get the 'protecting the young' theory?

#6.4 explained it perfectly. NEVER startle a bear unless you WANT to be killed, and ESPECIALLY never startle a momma-bear.

Is this comedy hour or what? Do you people read? They were sleeping, the bear destroyed the tents and chomped on them for a snack. They didn't startle a bear, a bear attacked three different tents of sleeping people. We are talking one sow and her cubs that need to be put down not the entire species. GET a GRIP!

Sarah

Even peper spray is wrong,so you are telling me that if you break into somones house and they decide to attack you for it its ok for you to to pepper spray them? No. Its simple stay the hell out of the woods or campgrounds. Maybe the campers should be taken to jail and thier kids put into an orphanage.

Joe, I don't necessarily agree with the pepper spray either, however it is a better option than shooting the animal. I don't go hiking in our woods because I am scared to get bit by a snake (childhood nightmare that has stuck with me throughout even my adult life). I am throwing out other options. Like I said in the same post, when going into a yard that isn't yours, if there is a dog, expect to be attacked.

Pepper Spray would do nothing but annoy a bear. Even handguns won't stop it unless you manage a pretty clean headshot or get through that massive ribcage and get the heart. You need a pretty heavy calibre shotgun or a hunting rifle to stop one. It'll also shrug off a taser like it was a bee-sting.

The thing is, if you're going to go camping in bear-country, you _should— have a licensed shotgun to protect yourself and your family. However, that being said, you should also know proper etiquette for campign and do everything in your power to NOT attract bears to you.

Remember, large predatory animals can get it in their heads that humans are food - period. If and when that happens, you do need to be able to defend yourself, or at least have an escape route planned :)

Sarah & Joe - People don't have a right to go into the wilderness? People don't have a right to protect themselves? This line of reasoning doesn't end well. Ofcourse some practical precautions need to be considered, but don't go say something stupid like "stay the hell out of the woods or campgrounds". You obviously have spent all your life in the city - nature is much better in person than on television. Broaden your mind. Go spend some time with some animals, they aren't as noble and aware of "rights" as you quixotically believe.

Why does everyone assume because I think it is wrong to kill the mother bear I have not been in the wilderness. Sure I haven't roughed it in a tent many times, I just prefer to stay in a camper (I feel a bit safer). And Dave...I never said to stay out of the woods or campgrounds, I said when camping in an area, where signs are posted, you must take precautions. It is a risk that you are voluntarily making. Of course I feel bad for these families. But again, when you are in the wilderness you have to know something like this could happen.

Dann K - pepper spray is quite effective. Believe it or not, Jack Hannah was just on the news the other night being interviewed about how he protected himself from a Grizzly bear with pepper spray.

I grew up camping and we knew to take precautions. We didn't leave food out. We made sure we didn't attract animals. You have to take precautions when you are in a natural area. The concept that humans can just go and everything is supposed to adapt to them is wrong. And, it's stupid.

There is no such thing as a properly licensed shotgun. There is no registration of guns. I hate CSI and it's Hollywood gun crap that people absorb as real.

There are licensed hunters of which doesn't apply here as no one was hunting. There are prepared individuals that carry.

W. Goin-That's the truth. As in any situation knowledge is power. And survival in the woods with animals is something you would think people would learn before they go. Especially when you are where animals can kill you. Unpreparedness is the major cause of this stuff.

So is letting yourself get eaten :).

Eric... I don't buy that at all... I suspect you are not an experienced backpacker or camper in the wild... They kill for food. They kill to defend their cubs. They attack sometimes when you try to share the same path...

Humans should try to avoid confrontation. I'll pass on other comments from my experiences and let the experts on here weigh in...

Heck, sometimes they kill to teach; sometimes for fun!

..... and sometimes for the taste. :) mmmmmm.. yummie.

mess with the bull you get the horns.... sad story for all involved.

Yes, in general, bears only attack when challenged or protecting their young. This bear is the exception to the rule, not the rule. She was teaching her cubs to stalk and kill prey. Unfortunately, she was using people to teach this lesson. Reports show that she made no noises when attacking the tents or the individuals. She wasn't challenged, she didn't feel threatened, she was acting on the offensive, not the defensive. This sow and her cubs now have a taste for and desire for people. This will not go away by relocating the bear - any of them. It doesn't matter how far away from civilization you move an animal like this, they will find their way to people again in a few short days. It is sad but necessary.

Not even close. Grizzly Bears routinely kill to eat. The big reason that bears in Yellowstone might be getting more agressive is the re-introduction of grey-wolves into the population there. They're actually very protective of carcasses that Grizzly's normally find to feed upon, and have the capability of playing cat and mouse to the point where they pick off cubs as well. While we don't think of winter as fast approaching now, it is for the Grizzly - and they're looking to stockpile. If they've had a lean spring they're going to be much more agressive than normal...

wyonative - thank you for your post! First intelligent one I've read on here so far.

Why people have to go to the extremes I will never understand. I lived in Montana for many years and worked in Yellowstone. You learn to respect the bears and other wildlife, but you also know that you can take all the "correct" precautions and you still might be attacked. There are no guarantees in life, no matter where you live or what you are doing.

That ain't how the story said it wuz.............

I would love to know how you think that three humans who were sleeping in a tent at 2 am would be threatening the cubs of the sow??? snoring maybe?!?!? OH wait I know they were in an established campground and were encroaching on her territory, that must be it!

You apparently live in the city and never leave the concrete

Well Amy they could have had food in their tent and when the bear entered they woke up and screamed. This might have startled the bear. Can you think of anything else? Like dumping leftover food on the ground by the campsite.

Definitely!!! I Greed With That When Humans Kill Another Humans The Person Goes To Jail And We're Responsible To Keep The Person Healthy And In Better Shaped!!! Taxpayer??? Go Figured

She could have been startled after the first tent she ripped into but to rip into three, I don't know about that. I have read several news reports, and they found no food in the tents (that was my first thought was that the campers didn't do preventative measures). On one report I read was that the man from Colorado woke up to the tent being pulled and his girlfriend screamed after she saw the bear bitting his leg. The woman woke up to the same thing and started screaming when the bear bit her and continued until she realized that the bear wasn't going to let go and played dead, for the other man we unfortunely will never know what happened. As far as food being left on the ground, I haven't read anything about how they cleaned up after eating, but I couldn't imagine that would have led the bear to rip into the tents. Most cases, if the bear was brought in because of food, they are darted and transfered in hopes they don't get accustomed to human food. From what I have read these campsites were spaced apart a good distance so the bear had to of passed over several campsites and choose the ones that she did for what ever reason. Any number of things could have brought this bear into the campground but an attack of this nature deserves to be thought of as out of the ordinary and Fish and Wildlife experts did what they had to do.

Bears are also attracted to people who don't take a shower after sweating all day. Or people who use things like strawberry shampoo and perfume. Out of all the campsites there is a reason why the bear picked these and human error is usually the reason.

Cindy, that would have been a great idea if they had been awake but everyone was sleeping.

Cindy- pick up a book and read it. Bears sometimes kill humans. And please don't give me the story that we are intruders in their back yard. I have lived in this house 37 years. For the 1st 34, bears were unknown in this county, never mind this township. But this year we had the cops out here twice so I could leave my own house. And this in the New York Metropolitan area. Bears have killed everything from cats to Llamas out here. And a little kid about 40 miles North.

If Pepper Spray worked the bear wasn't attacking. It was just foraging. Big difference.

@tom343 - I hear ya. There are routinely bear all around the area I live - about 30 miles west of NYC. It's gotten to the point that they'll be in someone's driveway when they get home from work or they'll be roaming through back-yards. An Air-Horn is often enough to scare away a foraging bear - but if the bear ever gets it in it's head that someone's kid is prey, it's gotta be put down. No doubt. Because if a bear wants to get inside your house, neither your front door not pretty locked windows are stopping it.

So what do you propose we do?? Kill off the whole effing species? People these are WILD animals. Do you expect them to be civilized and "know" to not kill humans? We are just another animal to them just like it used to be before we became civilized. We are not gods who rule the world and determine what species lives and dies.

Dann K your post came through right as i was typing the very same thing. I think Cindy needs to stand on a trail with a grizzly charging at her holding what amounts to a can of bug sprey and see what happens... My guess would be a VERY different outlook on this entire situation....

sorry, didnt proof read before i posteed.....that should read ".... Cindy holding the pepper sprey..." (not the bear)

you can get a good look at a t-bone by sticking your head up a butchers a$$. :)

the female camper who survived the attack did have pepperspray but she was ripped out of her tent before she could grab it.

the wildlife rangers here feel that because of the unusual wet spring and cold summer we've had thusfar, berries are ripening a few weeks later than usual. this is one of many concerns. we've had bear sightings in montana these past few weeks in areas atypical of bears.

the campers all had clean campsites. their food storage was exceptional and their housekeeping was equally flawless.

Thank you Larry Crehore!

Yeah, the Bible says that is the case. Animals yield to man's domination.

Yeah, the Bible says that is the case. Animals yield to man's domination.

Yeah, fictional works don't necessarily translate very well into the true laws of nature.

Nor does feel-good scientific babbling on the part of city slickers.

well then, jeeesh.... if The BIBLE says so, then it must be true...

So the people should have been carrying a Bible not pepperspray. What doess the Torah and Koran say?

How come there are no old Indian stories of an Indian being attacked by a bear? Back in the 1800's they lived in teepees with them.

Bk, what does that have to do with anything?

It wass a joke in response to torn343's comment.

First the bear did this because it was hungry.

Second they coul do blood work and other test and biopsies while the bear is in captivity and alive.

bk, I thought you said (over and over again) that the bear did this because it was protecting the cubs. Did you change your mind once it finally registered with you that the people were sleeping and nobody screamed until they were attacked? Yeah, definitely don't scream as the bear eats you because you'll scare it! Jeeze, you're annoying.

We get it - you're against the killing of the bear. This bear was demonstrating and teaching behavior that is not typical for bears, according to all reports. Think further on the "we shouldn't be interfering with their species" theories. We already HAVE, for many years. So, now, do we just let this bear continue to corrupt the rest of the bear species with abnormal behavior (even if caused by humans due to contact) until they make their way into "our" habitat and we eventually kill them all or do we sacrifice that one bear for the greater good of the species? You can't unring a bell - we can only deal with the repercussions of what's been done and, hopefully, the more we learn, the better we do that.

Maybe you should have read the article a little more thoroughly. These bears' behavior was atypical in that they intentionally targeted these humans. I suspect momma bear has snacked on a human before and they just haven't found him (or her) yet. I hope they've collected DNA from this predator bear so if they do find some unfortunate dinner guest they can make a match and not take out an innocent bear!!

And smear them with honey!

lmfao!

Shucks- the darn bears are taking up commuter parking stalls here in NJ...looking for passes on the train.

hiker dave,

good to read an intelligent reply.

Thanks for the insight.

I agree they should just be moved to a remote area.

Hi there - excellent comment! Thank you! Sharing your experience and knowledge AND intelligence is greatly appreciated by this reader! God Bless you for caring.

Jacque, I also have camped in Mont. Wyom. N and S dakota, MN and Wisc. These people were sleeping in their tents, not bothering the bears. However, I would suggest to people embarking on a journey into bear country to shower AFTER they grill their dinner, and dont use berry scented shampoos.

Now reading this story, I am going to guess first, Drought:

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/climate/research/2010/may/usdm-100601.gif

Yep. Just as I suspected. I will bet the food sources are lower than average and causing conflict between bears that doesnt normally exist.

Now, with a few experiences with bears, heres part two of my guess. Shes not a young bear and struggling to feed herself and her young.

A friend was renting a farmhouse on the edge of the spread (1000+ acres). A sow black bear took up residence not far from this house. The farmer said, Nope, no killing my bears (hunting season questions). She can stay as long as she dont cause trouble. 7 years later she started killing calves. She was getting too old to keep up and started taking easy food. And she was teaching her cubs calves are food. She (and her cubs) were hunted out that fall. The farmer could have gotten legal permission to kill her and the cubs that summer, but choose to take the loss and let a hunter pay for a license to kill her. He lost 3 calves to her.

I expect the autopsy to reveal this to be an aged bear, not a young sow. Probably had lost her competitive edge and been driven out of good territory. These cubs were lucky. At least they are going to try to place them in a zoo.

Once a bear has killed a human he (or she) is generally a done deal, because the human may have just become their idea of a Big Mac attack. It's very unfortunate but I would expect at some point more human remains will be found and it will be determined that this bear had become a human predator (not that we aren't already in their food chain!) or man killer because of her behavior ! The park may be their home but that town isn't and while it may have been possible to put the bear somewhere remote and observe it, there is no room for error when it comes to killer bears!!

I'm amazed at all the arm chair outdoor professionals here. I'm also amazed at all the people that are taking the accounts of the people who were supposeably eye witnesses to this incident...or must have been there themselves by their intimate knowledge of what actually happened. Black Bears are a completely different critter than a Griz. Grizzly are extremely territorial and have no preditors in the wild. They ARE the top of the food chain. If you are in or are going into Grizzly territory, EDUCATE YOURSELF and everyone in your party. This incident is sad. Sad for the people involved, sad for the bears.

This sow had 3 cubs and according to the way the story reads, ie; Warning Signs she was in her own territory. A sow with 3 cubs on her would be hunting food 24/7. I seriously doubt this was a schooling session for the cubs as some of these posts would want you to believe. I would bet this is a simple case of wrong time, wrong place for all involved...humans as well as bears. Bears don't see well but their sense of smell is phenomenal. I would also bet she caught a scent of the camper's food and followed it in the dark. When she found herself in the middle of a bunch of human 'smell', she went on the offensive to protect her cubs. Guess that's where the phrase "Mad as a Momma Bear" comes from. This isn't Yogi and BooBoo we're talking about people and Yellowstone Park doesn't mean it's a "park". The animals are not tame. I could tell some pretty crazy stories of what I've seen people do. People tossed into trees by buffalo, people pinned to the ground in the rack of a bull elk, people run over by moose...and the list goes on. Like I said, when you go into their domain, EDUCATE YOURSELF!!!

It looks like they are off. LOL! I guess it is time to log off the conversation is taking a turn for the obsurd.

Mini-Van, you for-ignor.

Sorry Smith...I'm from Cleveland born and raised.

Any Bears out yer Way? What Kinda Gun You Totin?

Love it man, just love it!

Well Dr george-this is the stupidity that gets people killed. We do love the animals and those of us that do camp in bear country also do something else to make it home alive. We respect them and realize we are in their home and we make adjustments to be there. They do not adjust for us. So go pour honey on yourself and go to lion country.

Yes, bk, and that's the difference between humans and "animals". We do make adjustments for them, even though we are also animals. If we did what comes naturally, we'd kill and eat everything that crosses our path or threatens our home or family. Instead, we conserve and relocate and regulate to save the other animals. Do you think that bear was crying over the fact that she killed a man and injured others without provocation? Do you think the other bears were up in arms and posting on their forums about how that man should have just been relocated?

sdgirl - actually you're correct, it's not the first time. A group of people were hiking and stopped by a spring, a mother was watching her little girl in the spring water when a bear appeared, roared and attacked the little girl; the mother ran and tried to fight this bear. It threw her in the air like she was a rag doll, the bear kept biting into her bones, she screamed and finally tried to act like she was dead. The rest of the group took her little boy and tried to phone for help. Park Rangers came and she made it, her little girl did not. Yes, the bear had to be put down. No one can second guess what an animal is going to do.

It's like if someone told you to go run across a highway. They just keep going back without the skill to do so.

Lets not forget that three people were attacked and one is dead. No one was actually there to conclude what really did happen.

Dave:

I'm with you, but if this is a really big grizzly, the 9mm would probably just make it really mad! Those things have thick bone in the head - about the best chance is to fire upward into the mouth and hope the bullet gets the brain.

But, at least try to get a snack while the bear is getting a full dinner. Better than the grass eaters who want people to stay in cities (which are built on what was once wild territory) and never go outdoors. Maybe even better, we should all retreat back into caves and rely on dead twigs and windfalls for our fires. Would do wonders for the world's overpopulation....

I wouldn't venture into the wrong side of town if all I had was a 9mm, let alone battle a Griz...damn city kids watch too much TV.