Grizzly bear kills mountain biker in Montana, USA

Authorities near Glacier National Park in Montana are searching for the grizzly bear that attacked and killed a mountain biker.

Brad Treat, a 38-year-old U.S. Forest Service law-enforcement officer, and a second biker apparently surprised the animal on Wednesday when the incident occurred.

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According to the Telegraph, the bear managed to knock Treat off his bike while his fellow cyclist fled the scene to look for help.

When authorities later found his body, the bear was nowhere to be seen. The second biker escaped the incident unscathed.

Speaking in a statement, Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said: "It appears they likely surprised the bear and Treat was taken off his bike by the bear. He was pronounced dead on the scene. The second rider was able to exit the area to summon help and was not injured or involved in the attack."

Curry added: "Brad was an integral member of our area law enforcement team and a friend to us all" ABC news reports.

The incident has left residents in the area worried, Dave Hrickak, a local camper, told Associated Press: "I'm out every morning jogging with my dog up and down this street and all we can see is forrest on both sides and I think sometimes the dog is sensing something but I'm not.

"And now, realising that these bears, or other wild animals, could be this close is a bit disconcerting."

According to the Montana Field Guide grizzly bears can weigh anywhere between 130 and 200 pounds, depending on gender and time of year.

The Guide also states: "More fatalities have been recorded during poor crop years when Grizzly Bears forage at lower elevations and come into contact with humans more often."

The area where the attack happened has since been closed off for public safety, the Telegraph reports.