A female grizzly bear has killed a man out on a hike with his wife in Yellowstone National Park after the couple apparently surprised the bear and its cubs, officials say.
The attack took place on the Wapiti Lake Trail, in an isolated area near the middle of the park, officials said.The woman survived despite being chased by the bear and lifted into the air by her rucksack, she told park officials.
It was Yellowstone's first fatal bear mauling since 1986.
The couple had seen the bear earlier on Wednesday but continued hiking, said park spokesman Al Nash. Later, it charged at them and the man told his wife to run.
The woman told officials she did not witness the fatal attack on her husband, and had dropped to the ground when the bear chased after her.
It had lifted her off the ground by her rucksack before dropping her and making off, Mr Nash quoted her as saying, leaving her bruised but not seriously hurt.
"In an apparent attempt to defend a perceived threat to her cubs, the bear attacked and fatally wounded the man," said park spokesman Al Nash. "Another group of hikers nearby heard the victim's wife crying out for help, and used a cell phone to call 911."
Park officials have not taken any action against the bear, Mr Nash told the Associated Press.
Campsites in the area have been closed, warning signs posted and wardens have been working to clear hikers from the area.
More details were expected later on Thursday after the victim's family has been notified.
Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area in the north-western United States are home to several hundred grizzly bears, which can weigh up to 600lb (270kg) and are a big tourist attraction.
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