This story in the Tooele (TA will a) Transcript Bulletin brings some perspective on the Utah bear attack.
The same is true in Idaho where there are also wolves.
Bear maulings in the form of grizzly bear reactions and bison gorings change the equation a bit in Wyoming.
The most dangerous large animal by far is the dog.
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project.
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Ralph,
Any chance of getting numbers for people injured or killed by domestic livestock, including vehicular collisions?
I don’t have it, but maybe someone could find it on the web.
People are killed every year in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming after hitting livestock on the road. If the person survives, under the archaic open range laws, they will be cited for injuring or killing a cow. . . just another example how most Westerners are second class citizens.
Just like the article states, seeing a cougar in the wild is a rarity. However, I was lucky enough to come across one near Red Lodge in May 2007. Such a beautiful animal!