Two grizzly encounters and one bison attack have been reported in the Park County area within the last week. 

A 68-year-old male from Buffalo, New York, was life-flighted to Billings on Monday after being mauled by a grizzly bear in the Francs Peak area.

According to Wildlife Management Coordinator Corey Class, Monday’s grizzly attack which occurred in the Francs Peak area, was most likely the result of the victim surprising the grizzly.

“Based on our initial investigation, it looks like a surprise encounter,” Class said.

According to a press release from the Park County Sheriff’s Department, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center alerted the Sheriff’s Department to a possible downed aircraft in Francs Peak area after receiving a distress signal.

The man who was on a several day backpacking trip had been “severely mauled.”

Further information indicated the signal was not from an aircraft but from a personal locator beacon. Air assistance was deployed, and the man was flown to Billings to receive medical care.

The investigation found that the man did have bear spray but was unable to use it in time.

Another bear incident that occurred Thursday — this one near Russell Creek — is currently under investigation. Class was unable to comment on the investigation which involves Wyoming Game and Fish and United States Fish and Wildlife.

“We typically investigate and respond to about an average of two to three injuries a year,” Class said of bear encounters. 

Class said there have been approximately four encounters this year and only the one injury that occured on Francs Peak.

Class encourages people to look at the “bear aware” information available on the Wyoming Game and Fish website to stay up to date on safe recreation practices.

Additionally, a bison attacked a group touring Yellowstone National Park on Monday.  The bison gored a 34-year-old male from Colorado Springs, Colorado, according to a press release. 

The man was injured in one arm and taken to Eastern Idaho Medical Center for treatment. 

This is the second goring this year as a result of a park visitor getting too close to a bison. The press release urged visitors to stay more than 25 yards away from the park’s animals and a minimum of 100 yards away from bears and wolves.

The incident is still under investigation, and no further information was available by press time.