72-Year-Old Man Hospitalized After Killing Grizzly Bear That Attacked Him While Picking Berries

Danielle Jennings

July 23, 2024 at 3:14 p.m.·2 min read

The 72-year-old man's condition remains unknown at this time

<p>Avalon/Universal Images Group/Getty </p> Grizzly Bear running out of woods in Montana, USA — Avalon/Universal Images Group/Getty
Grizzly Bear running out of woods in Montana, USA

A 72-year-old man picking berries in Montana shot and killed a grizzly bear that attacked him and left him seriously injured last week, officials said.

The man, who has not been identified, was at Flathead National Forest lands off the North Fork Road on July 18 "when he reported encountering a bear that charged and attacked him," Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said in a news release.

The bear was shot and killed, the department added. Officials noted that it was determined that the man, who was hospitalized, acted in self-defense.

The 72-year-old man's condition remains unknown at this time.

PEOPLE has reached out to FWP for comment.

"FWP wardens and bear specialists responded to the incident and confirmed that an adult female grizzly bear was killed," the agency added. "FWP is working to verify if any cubs are present."

It's unclear what led to the attack, but spokesperson Dillon Tabish told the Associated Press that the bear was responding defensively to guard cubs.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Tabish shared that if the cubs are located, it is unlikely officials will be able to find appropriate facilities to take them

“Depending on the age, we might leave them in the wild because they have a better chance of survival, rather than have to euthanize them,” the spokesperson added.

In their news release, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reminded park visitors that the state is "bear country" and they should be prepared to encounter both grizzly and black bears in the state.

“Avoiding conflicts with bears is easier than dealing with conflicts,” officials advised.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.

CNN
A pregnant shark was tagged and monitored for 5 months, then disappeared. Scientists now know its fate
Scientists tracked the movements of a large pregnant porbeagle shark for months. Then, its tag floated to the ocean surface, suggesting a larger shark had eaten it.
CBC
Rapidly growing invasive plant discovered for 1st time in Canada in Leamington, Ont.
A rapidly growing invasive plant that's prohibited in Ontario has been discovered for the first time in Canada in the Hillman Marsh Conservation Area in Leamington, Ont.Hydrilla can grow to 7.5 metres; clog water intake pipes and boat motors; and impede other recreational activities like swimming and paddling, according to a notice issued by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA).ERCA has closed the west cell of the marsh — including the trail and boardwalk — because the plant is easily
The Canadian Press
A 13-foot (and growing) python was seized from a New York home and sent to a zoo
NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (AP) — A 13-foot (4-meter) Burmese python was confiscated from an upstate New York man who was keeping the still-growing snake in a small tank, authorities said.
Euronews
Could these ‘motionless’ turbines solve wind energy’s noise and wildlife problems?
The technology is described as a ‘breakthrough scalable renewable energy solution’ that could be coming to other European roofs soon.
CNN
This hurricane season is confounding experts and defying forecasts. What the heck is going on?
It’s eerily quiet in the Atlantic during the peak of hurricane season. What’s causing it could be a sign of what’s to come in a warming world.
The Canadian Press
Marineland owner Marie Holer dies, park says 'succession plan' in place
Marineland's owner, Marie Holer, has died.
CBC
City crews working to clean 'milky white substance' spilling into Kitchener's Schneider Creek
Crews are working to clean up a milky white substance which was seen flowing down a section of Kitchener's Schneider Creek earlier this week.Geoff Martin was biking home with his son along Iron Horse trail Tuesday afternoon. When coming around a bend near Borden Street, he got his first full view of the creek. That's when he spotted the mysterious sediment flowing through the water."I asked my five year old if he wanted to retrace the substance and so we turned back around, followed it back up t
USA TODAY
Storm tracker: NHC tracking 4 disturbances in Atlantic; heavy rain forecast for Gulf Coast
The National Hurricane Center said Friday it is currently tracking four tropical disturbances in the Atlantic Ocean.
USA TODAY
This climate change fix could save the world — or doom it
Wary experts say "dystopian technologies" to cool Earth could backfire. Eager businesses aren't listening to the warnings.
The Weather Network
Noticeable cooldown in Ontario comes with strong winds, waterspout threat
Several days of below-seasonal temperatures are on tap in southern Ontario as gusty, northwesterly winds blow through. We could see bands of lake-effect rain along the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, and we may even see some waterspouts, too
The Weather Network - Video
September heatwave continues in western Canada
A ridge of high pressure is prolonging summer in BC and Alberta. Humidex values in southern BC will climb into the low to mid thirties Saturday afternoon. Temperatures will back off next week as a trough ushers in a cooler airmass. Details with meteorologist Dylan Kikuta.
The Weather Network - Video
Heavy rain targets parts of Nova Scotia, flooding a risk
The Weather Network's Nathan Coleman has more on the rainfall warning impacting parts of Nova Scotia.
USA TODAY
What is world's smallest cat? Get to know the tiniest cat breed
Cats can come in all shapes and sizes. But what is the smallest cat in the world? Here is what you need to know about the tiniest felines.
CBC
'Skip two flushes': City continues call for water conservation amid restrictions
Calgary officials continued to encourage citizens to cut back on their water use Friday, saying their efforts have the city to nearly 80 per cent of the way to achieving daily targets. "Skip two flushes and we have reached our goal," said director of capital priorities and investment Francois Bouchart at an afternoon news conference.Calgarians used 502 million litres of water on Thursday, up slightly from Wednesday's 500 million litres. Demand has remained at or above 500 million litres per day
LA Times
As crews chainsaw Joshua trees, Mojave Desert community protests solar energy project
Mojave town protests solar energy project as crews chainsaw hundreds of protected Joshua trees
TechCrunch
Endolith is using 'Olympic-caliber' copper microbes to address the copper shortage
Copper is critical to the energy transition away from fossil fuels. The metal is an excellent conductor of electricity, used in everything from electric vehicles to wind turbines. To do that, Colorado-based Endolith is turning to microbes.
CBC
More fines issued as Calgary officials continue calls for water conservation
With a heat wave expected over the next few days, city officials are reiterating concerns about the strain on Calgary's water system while the main feeder pipe is out of service for critical repairs.At a news conference Thursday, the city said the work is expected to be complete in 2½ weeks, which is in line with the original estimate given in August.At the current rate of water consumption, however, the system is at maximum capacity. That means it's stretched beyond what is reasonable for long
WFTS-Tampa
Flooded streets in Tampa after evening storms
Flooded streets in Tampa after evening storms
Fox Weather
Florida flooding scenes to continue for next several days as front stalls over Sunshine State
Scenes of flooding that have been all too common around Jacksonville, Tampa, and other communities north of Interstate 4 in Florida could continue for the next several days, as a stalled frontal boundary remains the focus for showers and thunderstorms.
The Weather Network
Relentless heat sends wildfire concerns soaring across B.C.
A mighty ridge of high pressure continues to be anchored over the southern half of B.C. this week, keeping the Interior hot and bringing the heat back to the coast –– leading to an elevated risk of wildfires

Latest Stories