Earlier this week, a hiker was found dead on a trail near Yellowstone National Park from what appeared to be a grizzly bear attack.
The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office identified the deceased as Amie Adamson, 48, of Derby, Kansas.
Adamson's body was found on July 22 on the Buttermilk Trail, in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, located just west of Yellowstone. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks determined the fatal attack was caused by a grizzly bear based on the animal tracks around the body.
The evidence at the scene indicated the presence of one or more cubs with the adult bear, and no indications that the bears tried to eat the victim, the AP reported.
Authorities did note that Adamson was likely traveling without bear spray or any means of defense, as none were found with her body.
Adamson was former English teacher turned avid hiker who quit her teaching career in 2015 to backpack across the U.S. She compiled her experiences into a book, titled "Walking Out: One Teacher's Reflections on Walking out of the Classroom to Walk America."
Officials implemented an emergency closure of the surrounding area when Adamson's body was discovered, which is a popular hotspot for hikers. Officials have put out bear traps in an attempt to catch any nearby grizzlies.
This incident is one of several wildlife attacks experienced by hikers in and around Yellowstone National Park and other areas across the nation in recent weeks.
Earlier this month a 35-year-old man was killed by a black bear in the San Juan National Forest in Colorado, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Last month, a 47-year-old woman suffered significant injuries when she was gored in the chest by a bison north of Lake Yellowstone. Also last month, in Tucson, AZ, a 66-year-old man was killed by a bear in a seemingly unprovoked attack as as he was sitting outside a campsite. Last year, north of Yellowstone, a hiker was killed in a suspected grizzly encounter in a remote area of the Absaroka Mountains. Two years ago, backcountry guide was killed by a grizzly that wildlife officials said was most likely defending a nearby moose carcass.
The uptick in bear sightings and attacks prompted a warning from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks alerting visitors of confirmed grizzly bear sightings throughout the state, particularly in areas between the Northern Continental Divide and the Great Yellowstone ecosystems. The agency advised visitors to carry bear spray, store their food while outside using bear-conscious techniques, and to keep campsites clear of garbage, which could attract bears.
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