Man Killed By Bear Identified

Yellowstone National Park officials have identified Wednesday’s victim of the grizzly bear attack as 57-year-old Brian Matayoshi of Torrance, California.  Park Superintendent Dan Wenk says Matayoshi and his wife Marylyn were returning on the Wapiti Lake Trail to their car when they encountered the bear.  The couple immediately began backing away and then turned to walk away when the bear attacked.  They were not carrying bear spray.  Wenk says Marylyn took refuge next to a downed tree as the bear attacked her husband.  The bear later picked up and dropped Marylyn as she played dead.  After the bear left, Mrs. Matayoshi called out for help and nearby hikers summoned Park rangers who arrived on the scene within a half hour of the attack and found Matayoshi deceased.  At this time, Wenk says much of the area where the attack took place is still closed except for South Rim Drive and the walkway from there to Artist Point.  Officials say the area had been posted, warning visitors of bear activity in the area.  Park Wildlife Biologist Kerry Gunther says heavy snow and the late spring has kept bears low this year, but they have begun moving back into their more traditional ranges. Park officials say it has been determined that the bear that attacked the couple was a sow with cubs of the year.