“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim as they work to cope with the loss of someone who loved Yellowstone so very much,” reported Wenk.

Park rangers and wildlife biologists gathered evidence at the location, but the inclement weekend weather made the investigation and recovery of the bear challenging.

The female grizzly bear was taken in bear traps placed on Friday evening, and her youngster was seized on Sunday night, according to Amy Bartlett, a park officer.

DNA samples were collected and will be processed over the next two days. If the mother bear is responsible for the killing, she will be euthanized.

“That bear didn’t simply strike and flee. “A bear attacked and ate a portion of him,” Bartlett explained. “We can’t have a bear that feeds on humans.”

The park will try to place her cub in a zoo setting, which may be tough due to limited zoo space, according to a park official.

The victim’s autopsy was planned on Monday.

The hiker worked and lived in Yellowstone National Park for five seasons as a Medcor employee, which runs three urgent care clinics there.

According to The Washington Post, there are approximately 674 to 839 grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park.

According to USA Today, the chances of sighting a grizzly while hiking in Yellowstone National Park are considered to be one in 2.1 million. Between 1980 and 2011, only 43 out of 90 million tourists were injured in bear attacks, according to the Yellowstone National Park website.

The Elephant Black Loop Trail and its surrounding region will remain restricted until further notice.

To avoid surprise encounters with bears, the National Park Service urges hikers to stay vigilant, stay on approved routes, travel in groups, carry bear spray, keep a safe 100-yard distance, and make noise.