Yellowstone’s First Fatal Grizzly Attack (1916): The Death of Frank Welch and the “Old Two Toes” Response
Apr 7, 2025 · montanaoutdoor
Yellowstone’s First Fatal Grizzly Attack (1916): The Death of Frank Welch and the “Old Two Toes” Response
In 1916, Yellowstone recorded its first officially documented fatal grizzly bear attack. Frank Welch, a 61-year-old government teamster, was killed near Turbid Lake by an elderly grizzly known as “Old Two Toes,” a bear reportedly showing aggressive behavior as its condition worsened. After Welch’s death, officials responded by killing the bear with dynamite.