Guide mauled to death by grizzly bear near Yellowstone National Park

Animal attacked while trying to protect food source, say police

Police officers are seen near the site of a grizzly bear mauling just outside Yellowstone National Park in Montana. Authorities said Charles "Carl" Mock died on Saturday of injuries sustained in the attack (Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

A man has died after being attacked by a grizzly bear near Yellowstone National Park, police in the US state of Montana said.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office said the bear was possibly trying to protect his food – a moose carcass – when it found Charles Mock, who was working as a Montana backcountry guide, nearby.

After the attack, in which Mr Mock suffered significant injuries to the face and head, he called 911 and was found by a search party after almost 50 minutes.

The 40-year-old was transported by toboggan and snowmobile to an ambulance before being taken to a nearby hospital, East Idaho Regional Medical Center, the sheriff’s office confirmed.

The attack took place on Thursday when Mr Mock was fishing in a forested area near Madison River, which is several kilometres north of West Yellowstone.

Mr Mock died two days after the attack after suffering a massive stroke, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Christine Koosman said. He lived in the park gateway community of West Yellowstone and had been in the same area fishing for almost a week.

Police said Mr Mock was carrying a bear spray to protect himself but could not verify to what extent he was able to use it during the attack.

The moose carcass the bear had been feeding on was found just 45 metres from the site of the attack, Morgan Jacobsen, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesperson, said.

“He was the only one who was there and we were never able to talk to him,” Mr Jacobsen said.

A day after the attack, a 420-pound grizzly bear was shot when it tried to attack a group of seven workers who were investigating the incident. Police said they were confident it was the same grizzly bear that attacked Mr Mock.

A GoFundMe fundraising page set up soon after the attack said Mr Mock worked at the Backcountry Adventures and was a “beloved” guide for Yellowstone visitors.

His friends called him an “extremely experienced” guide who knew the risks of working in the proximity of grizzly bears.

The GoFundMe page announcing the news of his death said: “This comes as a terrible shock and is heartbreaking to everyone since both the surgeries went so well.”

A police statement said: “Now is the time to remember to be conscientious in the backcountry as the bears are coming out of hibernation and looking for food sources.”

At least eight people have died due to bear attacks in the Yellowstone region in the last decade. Three have died inside the park.

There are thought to be at least 700 grizzly bears in the Yellowstone region of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.