Two hikers sustain minor injuries in grizzly encounter
A grizzly bear cub forages for food a few miles from the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, Mont., in this Sept. 25, 2013, file photo. (Alan Rogers/Casper Star-Tribune via AP)
HELENA (AP) — A grizzly bear injured two people in an encounter southeast of Ennis, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks reported Wednesday.
Two men were hiking with a dog off trail in the Bear Creek area around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday when they encountered a grizzly bear sow with cubs at close range. The hikers used bear spray to defend themselves. They sustained minor injuries from the encounter and were able to hike out without assistance.
Sows with cubs can be especially defensive in close encounters with people. The attack was likely defensive in nature, the department said.
A department game warden and U.S. Forest Service staff investigated the scene of the attack on Wednesday. The trail nearest the incident has been closed. Signs were posted in the area advising visitors of the incident. No further management action is planned at this time, the department said.