Grizzly mauls hiker to death

Authorities believe a Montana man who went missing in Yellowstone National Park on Friday was killed by a grizzly bear, according to a statement released by the National Park Service.

The victim, whose name was not provided, was described as an “experienced hiker” who had lived and worked in the park for five seasons, the statement said. A park ranger found him partially consumed a halfmile from the Elephant Back Loop Trail in a “popular off-trail area he was known to frequent,” the statement said.

Although the exact cause of the man’s death is under investigation, the victim’s body had defensive wounds on the forearms. Based on partial tracks found at the scene, authorities believe an adult female grizzly and at least one cub were probably involved. officials have been at the scene gathering evidence for bear DNA recovery, although heavy rains made the effort more difficult. A forensic autopsy is scheduled for today.