Posted on 09/07/2012 11:42:45 AM PDT by jazusamo
Yellowstone National Park wolf project leader Doug Smith snapped this photo last Friday, while tracking some of the park's wolf packs from the air.
Smith spotted a dead bull bison in the park's Hayden Valley, an apparent victim of a nasty encounter with another bull bison during the herd's annual rut.
As you can see, a very large grizzly bear has claimed the bison carcass as his own.
What you can't see, according to Smith, is the Canyon wolf pack lurking some 50 yards behind the grizzly, patiently waiting its turn on the carcass.
Smith says as his pilot circled around so he could get a better snapshot of the grizzly, he actually made eye contact with the bear.
As Smith tells it, he was glad his plane made it out safely because he was sure had he not, the grizzly bear had him in mind for his next meal.
Smith immediately alerted park officials, who promptly closed the Alum Creek trail in the Hayden Valley.
That trail is near the site of a fatal grizzly attack that occurred last summer.
Smith says each year several bull bison die from wounds suffered during their annual mating season from other bulls as they vie for supremacy among the females.
Smith says this year alone, four bull bison have been found dead as a result of the dangerous mating ritual.
LOL! I don’t blame you, 0400 is insane.
Shivers....
Wow - talk about a death stare. I’d land, far enough away I could put multiple rounds with a large caliber rifle. I’d then eat bear meat, and maybe buffalo (if it was still fresh enough to eat). That is, if the wolves mentioned in the article didn’t get it all first.
Now you know what is wrong with me, Jaz. I get up at 0400 every day.
That Grizzly has also been tagged. Red tag inside the ear.
“I just wanna be your teddy bear...”
There were no Teddy Bear stuffed bears until President Teddy Roosevelt. The Teddy Bear was made as a tribute to him.
I thought that was a hearing aid.
I’m just too old for that 0400 foolishness any more :)
Denali National Park & Preserve (AK) Investigation Underway Into Fatal Bear Attack (8-31-2012)
Following two days of rain and poor weather conditions, rangers were able to return to the site of the fatal bear attack on Tuesday to continue the investigation of the incident. They were able to determine where Richard White of San Diego had taken the images that were found in his digital camera. The initial photos of the bear were shot at a distance of 75 yards from the bear, which at that time had its head down in the vegetation, browsing on berries. Other images, including the last five where the bear’s head was up, looking at and moving toward the backpacker, were taken at a distance of 60 yards. Most of the backcountry units that were closed as a result of the incident are now open. Unit 10, where the attack took place, will remain closed for the next few days for continued monitoring and investigation. The unit encompasses an area of almost 50 square miles.
LOL!
The bear, the other one may be chewed up!
My dad was up in the Park one time. Bunch of cars alongside the road. Climbed up to see what they were looking at. Big bull buffalo. Pawing the ground, tossing its head, slinging snot. And some foolio with a camera telling his wife, "Just a little closer, honey..." He turned and left.
All I know is if that tail comes up, RUN LIKE HELL!!!
Here’s a helpful guide to buffalo watching, if you’re an idiot tourist.
• Buffalo’s tail hanging down: You and the buffalo are okay.
• Buffalo’s tail extending straight out, drooping at the end: Perturbed buffalo finds you annoying.
• Buffalo’s tail sticking straight up: Buffalo’s about to sound “Charge,” and you’re toast.
If you had both just think how many grand kids you could have.
If I had to choose, I'd take my chances with the bear!
“A little perspective on just how big a bull bison is, that’s a large grizzly.”
and that was the loser!
My eyes! I would too.
.
Now consider that frontiersman left records saying they had seen grizzlies kill healthy full grown bison by breaking their backs with a blow from their forelegs.
At Yellowstone, I saw quite a few buffalo close up. They were blocking the road and, while they were large and powerfully built, at that point did not seem particularly threatening. Around the same area, I saw a family of grizzlies on the side of a hill heading away from the road (thank goodness). Even though they were probably more that 200 yards away, just the sight of them gave me a momentary little twinge of panic.
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