Date: June 8, 2007

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Superintendent Tomie Lee announced today that the temporary closure to foot traffic and overnight camping due to recent bear activity in Queen and Rendu Inlets, in the West Arm of Glacier Bay is no longer in effect. The closure extended from the West shore of Queen Inlet, east of longitude 136 degrees, 38 minutes along the entire shoreline to the East shore of Rendu Inlet , west of longitude 136 degrees, 33 minutes (see attached map). The area was closed after a brown bear sow was observed near a dead bear cub in accordance with the park’s guidelines for managing bear-human interactions, in a precautionary effort to prevent injuries to those visiting this area of the park.

The closure was lifted after Park Biologists visited the site on June 5th and observed no sign of the mother bear or the carcass. Although the elevated risk to human safety is no longer present, recent bear activity has been observed in the area and campers are reminded to exercise standard precautions when traveling here as well as throughout Glacier Bay National Park. Visitors to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are advised to contact the park’s Visitor Information Station (907-697-2627) for the most current information regarding bear incidents in the area.

Complete press release