• A 29-year-old man was injured in a bear attack at Yellowstone National Park.
• This incident marks the first bear attack in the park since 2021.
• The attack occurred on the Turbid Lake Trail during a solo hike.
• The park officials believe the bear involved may be a grizzly.
• The trail has been closed while an investigation is underway.

A 29-year-old man is recovering after sustaining significant but non-life-threatening injuries to his chest and arm during a bear attack at Yellowstone National Park. The incident occurred on the Turbid Lake Trail, located northeast of Yellowstone Lake. The man deployed bear spray as the bear charged him but still received injuries. National Park Service medics responded quickly, escorting him out and later transporting him to a Lake Medical Clinic for treatment, after which he was airlifted to a nearby hospital, according to ABC News and SFGate.

This attack is notable as it is the first bear-related incident in Yellowstone since May 2021, when a grizzly also injured a hiker. Park officials have stated that due to the nature of this occurrence—a "surprise encounter"—the bear will not be relocated or killed, emphasizing the need for caution in bear country, especially during busy hiking seasons. Officials believe the bear may be a grizzly based on its size and behavior despite the hiker initially thinking it was a black bear. DNA analysis may help confirm the bear's species, according to CBS News and SFGate.

The Turbid Lake Trail has since been closed while park staff conduct searches to ensure no other hikers are in danger. As bear activity generally increases in the fall due to their preparation for hibernation, park officials advise against solo hiking in bear country and stress proactive safety measures, such as making noise and avoiding hikes during dawn and dusk when bear encounters are more likely, according to ABC News and CBS News.