MOOSE, Wyo (KIFI) — On Tuesday, May 13, staff at Grand Teton National Park discovered the bodies of two yearling grizzly bears in a closed area south of Colter Bay.
The bears were found approximately 250 yards apart. Park rangers noted that both carcasses displayed signs of depredation, indicating they may have been attacked by a larger bear.
Law enforcement and wildlife officials monitored the area for bear activity following the discovery.
They later observed a solitary adult grizzly bear identified as GB1063.
The adult grizzly had been frequently spotted in the previous weeks along with her three yearling cubs.
However, on May 13, park rangers noted that no cubs were seen with her during this sighting. It’s unclear what happened to the third yearling cub.
“Bears exhibit a range of fascinating behaviors influenced by their biological needs, social structures, and environmental factors,” said Grand Teton National Park Bear Biologist Justin Schwabedissen. “While it is incredibly sad to see a grizzly bear lose its cubs, depredation by other bears is a natural source of cub mortality in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and has previously occurred in Grand Teton.”
GB1063 and her cubs had been spotted multiple times in and around developed and residential areas at Colter Bay in the previous weeks. On May 4th, GB1063 was caught on camera with her 3 yearling cubs in a video posted to the bear’s Instagram fan page by the user elkraven_photography. The video captures the first time the group was spotted after winter hibernation.
Following park policy, staff hazed the bears to discourage them from lingering in these areas or remaining immediately adjacent to nearby roadways.
“Hazing is an essential management tool used to reduce potential conflicts between humans and wildlife, for their safety and ours,” Grand Teton National Park Rangers wrote in a news release. “When it is necessary to haze a bear, staff use a spectrum of tools tailored to the situation while providing for human and animal safety.”
Park staff did note that each time GB1063 was hazed, the adult grizzly and her cubs remained together.
Based on the grizzly’s past behavior and evidence, park staff determined that a male grizzly bear in the area may have led to the separation of the yearlings from GB1063 and was responsible for attacking the younger bears.
Park staff say they are continuing to monitor the area and ask visitors to remain bear aware: carry bear spray, maintain a safe distance from all wildlife, and report any bear sightings to a park ranger.
For more information about bear safety in Grand Teton National Park, click HERE.
