Black Bear Attacks 3-Year-Old Girl Inside Tent at Montana Campground

A young girl was attacked by a bear at a Montana campground on Sunday, state wildlife officials said.

The 3-year-old was inside of a tent at a private campground just north of Yellowstone National Park when the black bear attacked, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

After the incident occurred around 10 p.m. Sunday, the girl was taken to a hospital in Billings. As of Tuesday afternoon, Montana officials had no information on her condition. The campground was evacuated following the attack, and traps were placed in the area. In a news release, wildlife officials said they had captured and euthanized the bear.

“FWP believes it was the bear involved in the incident but is continuing with capture efforts at the site until tomorrow afternoon for due diligence,” Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks said.

Billings residents Don and Lisa Wilcox said they frequently hike in the area and always carry bear spray — just in case, they told MTN News.

How to Stay Bear Safe

Bear attacks, while generally rare, are more common occurrences in states like Montana. A popular trail near Yellowstone National Park was closed last year after a grizzly bear mauled and killed a woman hiking alone near West Yellowstone, Mont. And just a few months ago, California officials confirmed the first fatal black bear attack in state history.

But whether you’re hiking alone or sleeping in a tent, there are several things you can do to avoid conflicts with these large animals.

Bear Spray

If you’re hiking, biking, or hunting in those areas, bear spray and other deterrents are your best bet to prevent a dangerous encounter with a startled bear. Also, having that peace of mind might even help you enjoy a potential bear sighting from a safe distance.

Another option is a bear horn, which simply makes enough noise to avoid any unpleasant ursine encounters — or scare them off.

Be Less Attractive

The best thing you can do is to not venture into bear country alone. Most negative bear-human interactions occur when people take to the trail solo. Bears are not fond of groups.

When camping in bear country, one of the most essential pieces of gear is a bear safe. They are so effective at reducing human-bear encounters that many national parks and wilderness areas require campers to use them.

Bears have a keen sense of smell, often considered the best among land mammals. By conservative estimates, a bear can smell food from 2 miles away. Their sense of smell is thousands of times better at tracking down food than the human sense of smell, which is focused more on distinction than range.

When you’re camped for the night, be sure to put any food or other scented products, including toothpaste and sunscreen, into a bear canister and place away from your site.

Ideally, you place it downwind — 100 yards away, if possible.

Bear Safety in the Backcountry

If you’re in the backcountry, you’re likely in bear country. Here's what you need to know to stay safe around bears. Read more…