Glacier Park Hiker Killed By Grizzly

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONT.

A lone hiker was apparently killed by a grizzly bear Saturday. The victim, John Petranyi, 40, was from Madison, Wis., said park spokeswoman Amy Vanderbilt.

A female grizzly with at least one cub is suspected in the fatal mauling.

"Evidence suggests that the incident was initially a surprise encounter," Vanderbilt said. After the attack, "the bears lingered in the area and displayed aggressive and predatory behavior," she said.

"This was an unwitnessed incident so we may never get all the information."

On Saturday, Buck Wilde, an Idaho wildlife photographer, found Petranyi's day pack, camera and tripod, and then his body, apparently shortly after he had been killed.

Saturday evening, two rangers and Wilde were assessing the scene when a female grizzly charged to within 50 feet. Officials said they believe it is the same bear.

The incident took place near the campground below Granite Park Chalet, where one of two women was killed in 1967 in separate grizzly attacks in what has become known as the "night of the

grizzlies."