A man was attacked and seriously injured by a bear in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park on Sunday, leading to the closure of nearby Signal Mountain the following day.
“On the afternoon of Sunday, May 19, Teton Interagency Dispatch received a report of a 35-year-old male visitor from Massachusetts who was seriously injured by a bear in the area of the Signal Mountain Summit Road,” the National Park Service (NPS) wrote in a news release on May 20.
The man was rescued by Search and Rescue personnel following the attack, and was airlifted to a nearby hospital.
“Grand Teton National Park rangers and Teton County Search and Rescue personnel responded to the scene to provide emergency medical care and airlifted the patient via helicopter to an awaiting ambulance where he was transported to St. John’s Hospital,” the release said.
The NPS said the man was in a stable condition, and is expected to make a full recovery. Officials have not disclosed the man’s identity.
The NPS did not provide any information as to the nature of the man’s injuries, nor did it specify how the man encountered the bear. However, a preliminary investigation revealed that the attack was likely the result of a surprise encounter with two grizzly bears, one of which attacked the visitor.
Park officials closed the trail and the road to an overlook atop the 7,700-foot (2,300-meter) mountain.
Bear attacks of this nature are becoming more common in the region as the grizzly population has grown in recent years.
Last July, a woman was mauled to death in an attack by a grizzly bear in the vicinity of the nearby Yellowstone National Park.
The most recent attack occurred as Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park are heading into their busy summer tourist season.
Park officials have issued directives to visitors as to how to prevent potential bear attacks, which include not leaving unsecured food unattended, properly storing garbage until it can be safely disposed of, and staying at least 100 yards away from any bear encountered.
Those exploring the backcountry are advised to be alert and aware of their surroundings, make lots of noise in areas with limited visibility, carry bear spray, and hike in groups of at least three people.
If an encounter does occur, the NPS advises visitors to remain calm and back away slowly, and not to run away from the bear. Although bears generally tend to avoid humans, they may act aggressively if they feel that they, their young, or their food source are threatened.
Grand Teton National Park is home to both black and grizzly bears, which can be found in all areas of the park.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.