Bear Encounter Near Old Faithful Geyser

Above, a Yellowstone black bear and her two cubs. The bear involved in the encounter was a grizzly. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When hiking in Yellowstone National Park, it is rare, but not unusual, that encounters between humans and bears happen.

One did Monday.

According to the Flathead Beacon:

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. – A Missouri tourist was knocked to the ground by a grizzly bear and suffered minor injuries as she was hiking near Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful geyser, park administrators said Wednesday. 

The 37-year-old tourist from Columbia, Missouri was hiking alone Monday morning along the Fairy Falls Trail when she came upon a pair of grizzly bears. One of the bears knocked the woman to the ground, scratching her thigh and causing minor injuries to her face when she fell, officials said. 

She declined medical attention and the surrounding area has been temporarily closed, according to park officials.

The bear was a mother bear protecting her young, so no action will be taken against the bear.

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