A grizzly bear likely killed a hiker in Yellowstone National Park last week, officials said on Sunday.
Investigators said the exact cause of death was not found, but they added that the hiker appeared to have defensive wounds on his arms.
The victim, whose name was not given, was found “partially consumed” near Elephant Black Loop Trail, near Lake Village, on Friday, the National Park Service said in a statement.
“Based on partial tracks found at the scene, it appears that an adult female grizzly and at least one cub-of-the-year were present and likely involved in the incident,” the National Park Service said.
The man, from Montana, was described as a veteran hiker who had worked for urgent-care clinics in the park.
In this July 2012 photo provided by Roy Wood and explore.org, a group of bears are seen at Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska. The stars of a widely popular Internet series are ready for their second season. The stars in this show are the grizzly bears of Katmai National Park, and they will be coming to a small screen near you with more cameras and different angles as they fight to get a bounty of salmon before winter sets in. AP Photo/Roy Wood and explore.org
