A grizzly bear, possibly a sow with cubs, attacked and partially consumed a hiker whose body was found near a trail in the vicinity of Lake Village in Yellowstone National Park, park officials said Saturday.

The Montana man's body was found by rangers around noon on Friday, sometime after the bear had cached it under forest duff near the Elephant Back Loop Trail, a park release said.

"While the exact cause of death has not been determined, investigators have identified what appear to be defensive wounds on the victim’s forearms," the release said. "Based on partial tracks found at the scene, it appears that an adult female grizzly and at least one cub-of-the-year were present and likely involved in the incident."

The victim's name was being withheld pending notification of his family. However, park officials described him as "a long-term seasonal employee of Medcor, the company that operates three urgent care clinics in the park. He had worked and lived in Yellowstone for five seasons and was an experienced hiker."

The man was reported missing Friday morning when he failed to report for work. A park ranger found his body in a popular off-trail area he was known to frequent, approximately a half-mile from the Elephant Back Loop Trail. Additional park rangers and wildlife biologists responded to the scene and gathered evidence for bear DNA recovery.

The investigation was continuing, although heavy rains in the area Friday evening and Saturday morning made additional evidence recovery difficult. A forensic autopsy was scheduled for Monday.

Wildlife biologists set bear traps in the area on Friday evening. If bears are trapped and identified as having been involved in the attack, they would be put down.

“We may not be able to conclusively determine the circumstances of this bear attack, but we will not risk public safety,” said Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk. “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim as they work to cope with the loss of someone who loved Yellowstone so very much.”

The Elephant Back Loop Trail and immediate area were closed until further notice. Signs were posted and maps of the closure area are available at park visitor centers.

All of Yellowstone National Park is considered bear country. Hikers are advised to stay on designated trails, travel in groups of three or more people, carry bear spray, be alert for bears, and make noise to help avoid surprise encounters.