Park officials and biologists were stunned by the incident. Attacks by black bears are extremely rare and fatalities are even rarer. These episodes are hardly ever serious. A 19-year study conducted in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota documented only two bear related injuries over 19 million visitor days. Injuries generally occur when humans lose respect for mooching bears and either tease them with food or provoke them in some way while trying to get photos.
Numbers vary slightly among the numerous studies done regarding fatal black bear attacks.
In North America, approximately 25 people have died as a result of non-captive black bear attacks over the past 100 years. These attacks represent a different set of circumstances. They are the act of predatory bears. These bears are most often, large hungry males that stalk their human prey. These attacks are unprovoked and happen without warning.