Bear injures hiker in Montana's Glacier National Park; section of trail closed

A bear injured a hiker Thursday in Montana’s Glacier National Park, leading officials to close part of the trail where it happened.

The National Park Service announced the incident in a press release Thursday morning, adding that Glacier National Park rangers closed a section of Highline Trail. Officials will keep the closure in place until further notice.

The National Park Service said it does not know what species the bear belongs to yet, but there are black and grizzly bears in Glacier National Park.

The 35-year-old man was hiking Thursday morning when he came across a bear near the Grinnell Glacier Overlook trailhead. 

Park rangers helped him hike to Granite Park Chalet, where rescue team Two Bear Air met him and flew him to Apgar horse corrals. From there, Three Rivers ambulance took the man to a hospital in Whitefish. 

The park service said the man suffered non-life threatening injuries.

What to do if you see a bear

The park service said hikers should stay in groups, make noise and have bear spray on hand and know how to use it.

The park service noted on its website that while it can be “an exciting moment” to see bears, it’s most important to remember they are wild animals. Sometimes they can be unpredictable.

Bear attacks on humans are rare, the park service said, but they have sometimes led to death. 

“Most bear encounters end without injury,” the park service said on its website, adding that there are steps people can take to remain safe while enjoying nature.

Tips the NPS recommends include:

• Stay calm if a bear surprises you.
• Make sure you are noticeable if you are in areas with known bear activity or good food sources like berry bushes.
• Stand your ground but slowly wave your arms.
• Remember that bears are curious and they may come closer or stand on their hind legs to get a better look or smell.
• Talk to the bear in low tones so you’re not as threatening; this will help you stay calm and you won’t appear as threatening to the bear.
• Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.
• Pick up small children immediately.
• Always leave the bear an escape route.
• Never stand between a mother and her cub.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her atsdmartin@usatoday.com.