Grizzly injures Glacier Park hiker

After being attacked by a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park on Tuesday, a hiker is recovering from minor injuries, according to park officials.

According to a press release from the park, the man, a 65-year-old from Wisconsin, was hiking alone and off-trail near Mount Henkel in the Many Glacier Valley when he surprised the sow bear and her two cubs.

The man was grabbed and shaken, but released after deploying his bear spray at the grizzly. He received puncture wounds to his lower leg and injuries to his hand, according to the press release.

After hiking back to his vehicle, he drove himself to Northern Rockies Medical Center in Cut Bank, where he was treated and released that evening.

Park rangers are investigating the incident, and the press release added that “the bear’s response to the hiker was defensive in nature and consistent with a surprise encounter with a hiker.”

Bears have proven to be more active than usual in Western Montana this year due to drought and fire conditions. Bear sightings have been common, and rangers warn park visitors to be cautious when traveling, whether in the backcountry or in more populated areas.