Hunter killed by bear in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve

A hunter was killed by a grizzly bear in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve on Sunday, September 20, 2020. The hunter was on a 10-day moose hunt with a friend near the Chisana River drainage at the time of the attack.

The incident is the first known bear mauling fatality recorded in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve since the park was established in 1980. Visitors are encouraged to be Bear Aware when traveling in the backcountry and take precautions such as carrying bear spray and using Bear Resistant Food Containers (BRFC). The park also encourages hunters to read Bear Safety for Hunters located on the ADF&G website.

The identity of the deceased hunter is being withheld pending investigation.