First Fatal Grizzly Bear Attacks in Glacier Park
August 13th, 1967
August 13th, 1967

How Long Ago?
57 years, 7 months, 2 days ago
Location
Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
Category
Accidents & Tragedies
People
- Candice D. Lakin
- Karen A. Sutton
Links & References
Tags
First Fatal Grizzly Bear Attacks in Glacier Park
Two young women became the first fatal victims of grizzly bear attacks in Glacier National Park, Montana. The incidents occurred in close proximity during the summer months, highlighting the dangers of wildlife encounters for park visitors. The first victim, 19-year-old Candice D. Lakin, was killed while walking along a trail, while her friend, 17-year-old Karen A. Sutton, was fatally attacked later that same day. Their tragic deaths ignited discussions around park safety measures and bear management practices.
First fatal bear attacks in Glacier Park history
Victims were two young women hiking together
Attacks led to increased bear safety measures
Highlighted dangers of wildlife encounters in parks
What Happened?
Two young women were tragically killed in separate grizzly bear attacks in Glacier National Park, Montana, becoming the first fatalities due to bear encounters since the park's establishment. On that summer day, as park visitors enjoyed the scenic trails, 19-year-old Candice D. Lakin and her friend, 17-year-old Karen A. Sutton, faced an unforeseen threat in the form of the park's native wildlife. Candice was reportedly walking along a trail, a common activity for many tourists, when she was attacked by a grizzly bear. Shortly thereafter, Karen, while presumably following similar trails, met a similar fate. The unexpected nature of these incidents shocked the local community and visitors alike, sparking an urgent call for increased safety measures in dealing with wildlife interactions in national parks.
These tragic incidents underscored the more dangerous side of wilderness experiences and prompted officials to reevaluate park safety protocols surrounding bear encounters and public safety. The National Park Service's response included increased education on bear safety, advisories for hikers, and measures to manage bear populations and their interactions with human visitors. The events raised the profile of grizzly bear safety in national parks and marked a pivotal moment in addressing potential wildlife threats to public safety in areas where human and bear habitats overlap.
In years that followed, the Glacier National Park administration took initiatives to enhance visitor awareness programs, including bear spray demonstrations and regulations on food storage in campsites. Moreover, these incidents remain a point of reference when discussing bear safety in national parks across North America.
Why Does it Matter?
The bear attacks had a significant impact on public awareness regarding wildlife encounters in national parks. It led to changes in safety protocols and educational outreach, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The incidents are often cited in discussions about the balance between wildlife preservation and visitor safety.
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