Yellowstone Guide's Death First by a Grizzly Since 2018

A Montana backcountry guide has died days after he was mauled by large grizzly bear near Yellowstone National Park, becoming the first person killed by a grizzly in the region since 2018. Charles "Carl" Mock of the park gateway community of West Yellowstone was fishing alone along the Madison River, just outside the park boundary, on Thursday when he was attacked by the male grizzly, which was likely protecting a moose carcass, per the Guardian. Mock called 911 about 50 minutes before searchers found him with significant scalp and facial injuries. He was rushed to a hospital where he underwent two surgeries before dying on Saturday. A GoFundMe page describes "a massive stroke," per People. The bear believed to have attacked Mock was killed as it charged a team of game wardens who visited the site on Friday.

"They yelled and made continuous noise as they walked toward the site to haze away any bears in the area," Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks said, per NBC Montana. Still, a bear began charging—and didn't stop "despite multiple attempts by all seven people to haze away the bear," which was at least 420 pounds. It was shot and killed about 20 yards from the group before officials located a moose carcass about 50 yards from the spot where Mock was attacked, per the Billings Gazette. The 40-year-old, who's believed to have used bear spray during the attack, loved the outdoors and was "a beloved guide to countless visitors in Yellowstone" through tour company Backcountry Adventure, according to GoFundMe. Seven others have died in grizzly attacks in the region since 2010, including a Wyoming hunting guide in 2018, per the Guardian. (More bear attack stories.)