Montana wildlife officials euthanized two grizzly bears Wednesday after multiple conflicts at campsites and residential areas near West Yellowstone.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said officials killed two sub adult grizzlies, a male and female, after their capture Tuesday and in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
In a press release Friday, FWP said conflicts with the two grizzlies started last year and intensified this August, even after the bears had been relocated.
By the time of their last capture September 1st, FWP said it had received 15 reports, including the bears getting into an occupied tent and a storage compartment on an RV, and eating pet food and trash on porches.
FWP’s regional supervisor in southwest Montana said leaving out garbage and other bear attractants increases the risk to human safety, leading to more bear mortalities.
Mark Deleray, FWP’s regional supervisor in southwest Montana said, “When garbage and other attractants are left unsecured and available to bears, human safety becomes a huge concern, and bear mortalities are the unfortunate result. This is why we ask people to be so careful with food, garbage, and similar items.”
Forest Service food storage orders require all unattended food, garbage and attractants to be stored in at least one of the following ways:
- In hard-sided vehicles.
- In locked IGBC-approved bear-resistant products, which include certain electric fencing.
- Hung at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet away from a tree or pole, out of the reach of wildlife.
In addition to following food storage orders, hunters and other recreationists should take further precautions when in bear country:
- Be aware of your surroundings and look for bear sign.
- Carry and know how to use bear spray.
- Travel in groups and make noise whenever possible to avoid surprising a bear.
- Stay away from animal carcasses.
- Anyone moving quickly (i.e. mountain bikers, trail runners) is at a higher risk of surprising a bear.
- Where possible, avoid traveling at night, dawn or dusk.
- If you encounter a bear, never run away.
For more information on avoiding negative encounters with bears, visit igbconline.org/bear-safety.
Grizzly bears in the lower-48 states are currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Management authority for grizzlies rests with the USFWS, working closely with FWP, Wildlife Services, the Forest Service and Tribal governments. This collaboration happens through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC).
