On May 20, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Special Agent and MT FWP grizzly bear biologists investigated and retrieved the carcass of an adult female grizzly bear from the Paola Creek area of the Middle Fork of the Flathead Drainage located on the Flathead National Forest in northwest Montana.

The carcass was transported to the FWP lab in Bozeman where examination revealed that the grizzly bear had been shot.

There was evidence of additional bears at the site and a remote camera photographed two yearling grizzly bears that were orphaned due to the death of the adult female. The young bears are about 15 months old and looked to be in good condition. The decision was made to leave the young bears in the wild.

FWP and USFWS are asking for anyone with any information on this case to call 1-800-TIP MONT. Callers do not have to identify themselves and a reward of up to $2000 may be available for information leading to a conviction.

(Report by Montana FWP)