LOCAL NEWS

Backcountry Guide Mauled To Death While Fishing Near Yellowstone National Park

Apr 20, 2021, 9:49 AM

In this photo provided by the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, officers from the sheriff's office ...

In this photo provided by the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, officers from the sheriff's office and West Yellowstone Police Department are seen near the scene of a grizzly bear mauling just outside Yellowstone National Park near West Yellowstone, Mont. on April, 15, 2021. Authorities said Charles "Carl" Mock died Saturday of injuries sustained in the attack. (Gallatin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

(Gallatin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

(CNN) — A backcountry guide died Saturday after being attacked by a grizzly bear near Yellowstone National Park, according to officials.

Charles “Carl” Mock, 40, of West Yellowstone, was alone fishing west of the park in Montana on Thursday when the bear attacked, according to a release from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department.

“The man had bear spray with him, but it’s unclear whether he was able to deploy it during the attack,” according to a release from the department. He was transported to Idaho Falls for treatment of severe injuries.

Mock had two surgeries before suffering a stroke and ultimately passing away Saturday from injuries sustained during the mauling, according to the Facebook page for Charles Mock’s employer, Backcountry Adventures — which provides snowmobile rentals, guide services, and snow coach tours in the area.

A group of seven investigators, including Forest Service personnel and bear specialists, returned to the attack site on Friday to assess ongoing public safety risks and conduct an investigation. Before reaching the location of the mauling, a bear described as an “older-age male grizzly” began charging the group.

“Despite multiple attempts by all seven people to haze away the bear, it continued its charge. Due to this immediate safety risk, the bear was shot and died about 20 yards from the group,” according to the release.

Investigators later found a moose carcass within 50 yards of the site of Mock’s attack. This would indicate the grizzly was likely defending a food source, the statement said.

The National Park Service says that since 1979, Yellowstone has hosted over 118 million visits. During this time, 44 people were injured by grizzly bears in the park.

For all park visitors combined, the chances of being injured by a grizzly bear are approximately 1 in 2.7 million visits. The risk is significantly lower for people who don’t leave developed areas or roadsides, and higher for anyone hiking in the backcountry.

Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, according to the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department.


The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

...

Kyle Ireland

Smith Entertainment Group Announces Location Of Utah’s NHL Practice Facility

Smith Entertainment Group announced the location for the practice facility of Utah's NHL team less than a month after acquiring the franchise.

58 minutes ago

(Derek Petersen, KSL TV)...

Dan Rascon

Brother of fallen Santaquin officer thanks community, police agencies for support

In an exclusive interview with KSL TV, the brother of the officer hit and killed in Santaquin says his brother paid the ultimate sacrifice for his service.

3 hours ago

The popular TV series "The Chosen" is filming again in Utah. (KSL TV(...

Carole Mikita

TV series ‘The Chosen’ has returned to Utah to film fifth season

The popular TV series "The Chosen" is filming again in Utah.

11 hours ago

Law enforcement agencies and people across the state are sharing messages of support and paying the...

Shelby Lofton

‘We protect our officers’: Santaquin community shows support for family of fallen police officer

Law enforcement agencies and people across the state are sharing messages of support and paying their respects to the family of a fallen Santaquin police officer.

11 hours ago

FILE: One person is in custody following a shooting in Clinton on Sunday. (Clinton City Police Depa...

Mark Jones

One person in custody following a shooting in Clinton on Sunday

Clinton police say one person is in custody following a shooting Sunday afternoon.

14 hours ago

The Northern Utah Mennonite Church in Tremonton is pictured on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. A 4.4 magn...

Devin Oldroyd, KSL NewsRadio

Utah experiences 4.4-magnitude earthquake just outside of Tremonton

Residents of Tremonton may have felt some shaking on Sunday, as a 4.4 magnitude earthquake hit the area.

15 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Side view at diverse group of children sitting in row at school classroom and using laptops...

PC Laptops

5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids

Read these tips about internet safety for kids so that your children can use this tool for learning and discovery in positive ways.

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Backcountry Guide Mauled To Death While Fishing Near Yellowstone National Park