A 29-year-old man is recovering from injuries sustained in a bear attack while hiking in Yellowstone National Park. The incident occurred on the Turbid Lake Trail, located northeast of Mary Bay in Yellowstone Lake, on September 16. The trail is approximately 2.5 miles from the Pelican Valley Trailhead, which is part of the Pelican Valley Bear Management Area.

The hiker was alone when he encountered the bear. He attempted to use bear spray as a defense, but the bear made contact, resulting in significant but non-life-threatening injuries to his chest and left arm. National Park Service medics responded quickly to the scene and assisted the hiker in walking out to the trailhead. He was then transported by ambulance to the Lake Medical Clinic and subsequently flown to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

Initially, the hiker believed the bear was a black bear. However, park officials indicated that the bear's size, behavior, and the location of the encounter suggest it was likely a grizzly bear. Bear management staff plan to confirm the species through DNA analysis if feasible.

In response to the incident, the Turbid Lake Trail has been closed until further notice. Park officials are conducting sweeps of the area to ensure no other hikers are present. They noted that the bear's actions were a defensive response during a surprise encounter, and therefore, no management action will be taken against the bear.

This incident marks the first bear-related injury in Yellowstone for 2025. The last recorded incident occurred in May 2021, when a grizzly bear injured a solo hiker on the Beaver Ponds Trail in Mammoth Hot Springs. The investigation into the recent attack is ongoing, and no additional details have been released at this time.