Updated: Grizzly bear attacks, kills cyclist camping in downtown Ovando

OVANDO –The long Fourth of July weekend came to a tragic end early Tuesday morning after a grizzly bear attacked and killed an adult female cyclist who was camping in downtown Ovando near the Brand Bar Museum.

Powell County Sheriff Gavin Roselles said his office received word of the attack at one of the in-town campsites at 3:30 a.m.

Roselles couldn't provide detailed information about the victim, pending notification of her family, but confirmed she was traveling with other people.

**Update: The victim has been identified as Leah Davis Lokan, 65, a registered nurse from Chico, Calif. Reports indicate she was an experienced outdoorswoman who participated in mountain bike races and was also an avid road cyclist. **

"Other people were in the immediate camping area. She was not alone at the time," he said, adding no one else suffered any injuries.

According to a social media post by Blackfoot Angler owner Kathy Schoendoerfer, the woman was traveling with friends and family members, including her sister.

Roselles said bear spray had been deployed during the attack, and people camping in the area called 911.

Lincoln Volunteer Ambulance, the Helmville Quick response unit and the newly created Ovando Emergency Medical Service responded to the attack but were unable to save the victim.

Roselles and a game warden from Deer Lodge arrived in Ovando a short time later to begin an investigation. Roselles said initial reports indicating the woman was riding a bicycle at the time of the attack were false.

Access to Ovando was shut down for most of Tuesday, while the scene of the attack was processed by investigators. The community was re-opened that evening.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Spokesman Greg Lemon said the circumstances around the attack aren't clear, but their Wildlife Human Attack Response Team responded to the scene to begin the search for the bear. The joint search, which involved law enforcement, wildlife specialists and helicopters, lasted throughout Tuesday but failed to find the bear. Roselle said multiple traps have been set for the bear in the Ovando area. The search was expected to resume Wednesday and continue until the bear involved in the attack is found.

The attack prompted Roselles to close all camping in the Ovando community until July 11, or until the bear is identified and dealt with. Camping within a seven-mile area of Ovando is also being discouraged, although the Ovando Firehall and the town church will be open to cyclists who need a safe place to spend the night.

Fred Valiton, owner of the Blackfoot Commercial Company, told the BVD the attack is the first anybody has ever heard of in the history of Ovando, and it has hit the community hard.

"It was certainly traumatic for the entire town," Roselles said. "Like with any incident the community as a whole, has pulled together to support not only the first responders, but the family that was present this morning. Everybody worked as a group, and we were there for each other."

"We're all devastated," Valiton said. "It's the sort of thing, in a small town, that never happens."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were involved in the incident this morning," Roselles said. "Family and friends who were in Ovando, the first responders who responded to the scene...everyone involved, but especially the family."

Lemon said a camera in town that overlooks Ovando's main square, located on the Blackfoot Angler storefront, filmed a bear walking in town the night of the attack. Lemon said they believe it is the same bear involved in the attack, and that it was probably the bear that got into a chicken coop the same night.

In the last few years Ovando has become well-known as a cycle-friendly community, offering several places for cyclists to camp or spend the night as they make their way along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route or along Highway 200 on cross-country trips.

The Blackfoot Angler serves as an unofficial way station for cyclists, many of whom make sure their image is captured on the building's camera as they pass through town. The Angler's camera has also recorded bears passing through downtown Ovando in the past, without incident.

Neither Roselles nor Lemon know yet what may have prompted the grizzly to attack the woman, but it's still under investigation.

"Bears are pretty common in the valley," Lemon said. "From time to time we've had incident where they've come into town in Ovando and gotten into attractants. We haven't had any recent incidents in town. It had been pretty quiet for a while."

"The biggest thing we're putting out is a general precaution for people who are enjoying outdoor activities to be bear aware; be cautious," Roselles said. "Human-bear interactions are occurring more and more. People have to be vigilant."

He added it serves as a reminder that interactions with bears can happen just about anywhere, even around populated areas.