California Man Killed in Grizzly Bear Attack at Denali Park.
KTUU-TV HEALY, Alaska—

Denali National Park and Preserve officials confirm that a solo backpacker
was killed by a grizzly bear along the Toklat River Friday afternoon, making the
death the first known bear mauling fatality within the park.
On Saturday, park officials identified that hiker as 49-year-old Richard
White of San Diego.
Officials say three hikers discovered an abandoned backpack along the Toklat
River. The hikers saw signs of a violent struggle, including torn clothing and
blood, and immediately notified the National Park Service.
Alaska State Troopers and park rangers at Denali shot and killed a male bear
protecting the kill site Saturday afternoon as investigators tried to reach
White's remains.
The results of a necropsy on the bear, combined with pictures taken of the
victim before the attack, confirm that it was the animal that killed White.
Park superintendent Paul Anderson says White was walking on a dry section of
the river and approached the bear which was in some brush at the edge of the
river.
"He approached the bear within approximately 50 yards, and spent more than 8
minutes photographing the bear before it attacked him," said Anderson.
Park officials say there may be 10 to 12 bears that frequent this area of the
Toklat river over the course of the year.