Kevin Kammer Identified As Man Killed in Yellowstone Bear Attack

by Amy Judd | July 29, 2010 at 09:04 am

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Kevin Kammer, 48, Has Been Identified As the Man Killed in the Yellowstone Bear Attack at Soda Butte Campground

Kevin Kammer from Grand Rapids enjoyed fly fishing and was on a fishing trip by himself and was sleeping in his tent at the Soda Butte Campground in Montana when he was attacked and killed by a bear.

WOOD TV8 reports that he leaves behind his wife and four children. KTVQ spoke to Kammer's brother-in-law Jim Howard on Thursday morning who spoke fondly of the family member he has lost.

Howard said Kammer "used to give fly fishing lessons. It was kind of a dream of his to be able to go fly fishing in Montana because it's beautiful fly fishing country. I know he was very excited to go on this trip."

Kammer was "devoted to his family and children. That's what he did. That was his life...were his children."

Deb Freele from Ontario was also attacked by the bear but survived by playing dead. A third person, thought to be a teenager was also attacked and suffered puncture wounds on his leg, but is expected to make a full recovery.

A Grizzly Bear and Two of Her Cubs Captured

KTVQ reports that on Thursday morning a mother grizzly bear and two of her cubs were captured, with one cub still in the wilderness. It is thought that the mother bear weighs between 300 to 400 pounds and was captured on Wednesday evening after being lured in to a trap.

Capt. Sam Sheppard, a Fish, Wildlife and Parks warden said they believe they have caught the right bear because it came back to the site of the attack on Wednesday.

"She basically targeted the three people and went after them," Sheppard said. "It was like an archery hunter who gets between a sow and her cubs and she responds to protect them."

The mother bear will be killed, while her cubs will most likely be taken to a sanctuary and will not be allowed to be released in to the wild again.