Black Bear Attacks 3-Year-Old Girl in Tent Near Yellowstone National Park

Authorities in Montana euthanized a black bear following a tragic incident in which the animal mauled a three-year-old girl near Yellowstone National Park on Sunday night.

The attack occurred around 10 PM at a private campground located south of Red Lodge, Montana. The young girl was immediately transported to a hospital in Billings, some 62 miles from the site of the incident.

After the incident, officials from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) responded promptly by setting up a trap at the campsite. They collaborated with the campground owner to evacuate guests from the site as a precautionary measure by the following morning. Once the campground was fully cleared, additional traps and snares were set to capture the bear.

On the afternoon of August 12, the bear was successfully captured and subsequently euthanized, as confirmed in a news release by the agency.

Following an investigation of the scene, officials found garbage, a cooler, and various food items scattered both around and inside the tent where the attack occurred.

This female bear had no previous history of conflicts with humans, but it appeared to have become food-conditioned and habituated to human presence. This means the bear had grown accustomed to the presence of people and began returning to areas where food was available, rather than fleeing these locations as is typical behavior for bears.

While attacks by black bears on humans are rare, they can be perilous if the bear feels threatened. In a sign of the growing concerns about bear-human interactions, a California woman was found dead in her home in 2023, having been killed by a black bear—marking the first such incident in that state. Additionally, a woman in western Pennsylvania was seriously injured earlier this year after a black bear attacked her when she let her dog outside.

Evidence collected at the attack site matched the physical characteristics of the bear that was captured, leading FWP officials to conclude that it was indeed the same bear involved in the attack on the young girl.

Officials are urging people to be aware of the possibility of encountering either grizzly or black bears throughout Montana. They emphasize the importance of taking precautions to avoid potential conflicts with bears.

“Avoiding conflicts with bears is easier than dealing with conflicts,” the agency stated in its release. In light of this incident, authorities recommend that individuals keep food, scented items, and garbage securely stored and away from tents. It is critical to use bear-resistant bins for garbage disposal and to comply with local regulations concerning food storage.

In the wilderness areas where bears roam, the safety of both humans and bears hinges on responsible behavior and awareness of wildlife interactions. As this incident highlights, vigilance and proper precautions can play a crucial role in preventing dangerous encounters.