Park won't take action against grizzly sow

The Minnesota man who was mauled by a grizzly bear in the Many Glacier area Friday was treated and released from a hospital that same day, and Glacier National Park officials have decided no action will be taken against the bear.

The 50-year-old man from St. Paul, Minn., was treated at the Blackfeet Community College on Friday for non life-threatening injuries. When he was released, he resumed his travel itinerary, said Denise Germann, Glacier's public affairs specialist.

The man, who is not being identified by the park, was attacked by a female grizzly with a subadult cub Friday. The surprise encounter occurred on the trail from Many Glacier to Piegan Pass when the hiker rounded a bend in the trail.

"There will be no action taken on the bear," Germann said. "Basically the bear responded in a defensive nature which is consistent with a surprise meeting with a hiker."

The man was able to walk back toward Many Glacier. Along the way he met a naturalist ranger who was able to notify dispatchers about the incident. The man continued on to the Many Glacier Ranger Station, where he was picked up by the Babb Ambulance.

The trail from Piegan Pass to Feather Plum Falls was closed after the incident, but Germann said it is expected to be reopened sometime this week.