A 40-year-old backcountry guide, Charles “Carl” Mock, went fishing on April 15 but never made it back home. He was attacked by a grizzly bear, while fishing along the Madison River a few miles north of the town of West Yellowstone.
After the attack, Carl managed to use his cell phone to call 911, and emergency personnel transported him to a hospital in Idaho Falls. He underwent multiple emergency surgeries, but, tragically, Carl didn’t survive the severe bite injuries to his head and body.
The attack took place outside the borders of Yellowstone National Park. Carl had worked within the park as a guide for many years, leading people on tours. He knew his way around the area, was experienced in the wilderness, and was carrying bear repellant spray on the day of the attack. Evidence indicates he used the repellant in a futile attempt to defend himself.
“They knew he had for sure launched off his mace because there was even mace on his clothes,” his father told The Billings Gazette while reflecting on the tragedy. “He just lived to help people.”
State wildlife officials later shot and killed the 400-plus-pound bear after it repeatedly charged them near the scene of the original attack.
