A 47-year-old trail runner met a tragic end during a routine jog near Yellowstone National Park, as confirmed by officials of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Amie Adamson, a Kansas resident and passionate outdoor enthusiast, unfortunately crossed paths with a grizzly bear leading to her fatal encounter, Your Content has learned.
Adamson’s lifeless body was discovered on Buttermilk Trail, situated just west of Yellowstone. Initial evidence pointed towards a possible bear encounter, considering the increasing grizzly population in Montana and tracks discovered at the scene.
Further investigation confirmed her cause of death to be a bear attack, as officials discovered injuries synonymous with such an incident.
Signs of an adult grizzly and at least one cub were found in the vicinity, although the actual animal involved in the incident remains unidentified. The encounter took place while Adamson was alone and without bear spray, an essential item recommended for hikers venturing into “bear country”.
Amie Adamson, a former teacher who dedicated her life to backpacking since 2015, found her peace amid the raw beauty of nature. Her bereaved mother, Janet Adamson, shared her grief on social media, recognizing that her daughter passed away doing what she loved most. She stated, “Running through that beauty of Yellowstone – she was almost in heaven. She died doing what she loved.”
The Montana section of the park, deemed as bear territory, has been closed temporarily to ensure public safety, and ongoing efforts are being made to capture the bear responsible for the incident. However, no bears have been captured to date.
Regrettably, Adamson’s tragic incident isn’t an isolated case. Montana’s growing grizzly population – expanding from 136 in 1975 to over 1,000 in 2021 – has been accompanied by a rise in bear-related incidents. Despite this, the overall count of fatal encounters in Yellowstone National Park since its establishment in 1872 has remained relatively low at eight.
Nevertheless, the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee emphasizes the potential danger when encountering bears, particularly when they are surprised, guarding cubs, or protecting a food source. As such, visitors to these regions are strongly advised to carry bear spray and securely store food and trash.
For now, Adamson’s grieving family grapples with the harsh reality of their loss, while finding solace in the fact that she spent her final moments in the place she loved most. Officials have not yet disclosed the arrangements for the deceased’s body, and the search for the involved bear continues.