Bear Defending Cub Attacks 10-Year-Old Boy at Yellowstone National Park

A mother bear attacked and injured a 10-year-old boy at Yellowstone National Park on Thursday.

Officials said the bear was defending its cub when it charged a group of four hikers, including the young boy.

The 10-year-old tried to run, but the bear chased the boy and knocked him down, the National Park Service said in a statement. His family managed to drive the animal away with bear spray.

The boy "suffered an injured wrist, puncture wounds to the back and wounds around the buttocks," the statement read. He's been taken to a local hospital for treatment. 

Officials are searching for the bear, which they say is likely a grizzly with at least one cub, according to USA Today. They praised the family for their quick thinking. 

“This incident could have been more serious. We applaud the family for traveling in a group, carrying bear spray, and knowing how to effectively use it during their emergency,” Pat Kenney, Yellowstone National Park deputy superintendent, said in a statement, USA Today reported.

This is the first reported incident involving a bear in the park since 2015.

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