PARK COUNTY, Mont. (NMB) – The Livingston Enterprise reports that a Livingston man has died after an apparent encounter with a grizzly bear near Yellowstone National Park.
Park County Sheriff Brad Bichler said on Friday the man had been identified as Craig Clouatre, 40. He had been missing since Wednesday afternoon in the Six Mile Creek area of Paradise Valley and was found by a search crew.
Authorities say that they will not be trying to search for the bear because the attack does not appear to have been predatory in nature. They say it was more likely simply a chance encounter.
Testing to confirm that the victim was killed by a grizzly is ongoing. It is not clear if the victim was carrying bear spray.
Bichler said the victim and a friend may have been looking to hunt for antler sheds on Wednesday morning but split up.
The search included professionals and volunteers. There were ground teams and crews used horses and helicopters.
