Rare Yellowstone bear attack elicits reaction from US lawmaker

Two hikers were injured in a bear attack on a popular hiking trail near Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful geyser, park officials said Tuesday.

The attack was described by officials as a single event Monday afternoon along the Mystic Falls Trail.

A large area of the park near the Midway Geyser Basin was temporarily closed pending an investigation. The area includes at least five trails and several backcountry campsites.

Park officials said one or more bears were involved, but did not specify which species. The park has populations of both grizzly bears and black bears, which can be difficult to tell apart at times. Grizzlies can be more aggressive and they grow much larger — as much as twice as big as black bears. Black bears usually have darker coloring.

Further information, including whether the victims were hiking together and whether they were hospitalized for their injuries , was not being immediately released, said Yellowstone spokesperson Ashton Hooker.

Commenting on the incident  Congresswoman Harriet Hageman said in a social media statement, "Incidents like these are far too common in the region with an overflowing bear population."

She said, "I pray for a full recovery for the hikers and encourage all visitors to closely follow Park recommendations surrounding wildlife."

According to Associated Press, Yellowstone gets more than 4 million visits by tourists annually and attacks by grizzlies or black bears are rare.