Grizzly Bear Captured in the North Fork of the Flathead Drainage
On July 29th, an adult female grizzly bear was captured on private property south of Red Meadow Creek where a bear had broken into three camp trailers. The trailers were unoccupied at the time, but people had been living in them. According to Grizzly Bear Management Specialist Tim Manley, the bear was captured in a culvert trap that was set within two feet of one of the trailers. The trailers had been broken into on the evening of the 28th. Once inside the trailers the bear ate dog food along with food in the cupboards.
The unmarked, 315 lb grizzly, had cut herself on the glass of one of the trailers and a fresh cut was found on the left front foot pad of the bear. The bear was not lactating and there was no evidence of her having cubs. No microchip or ear tags were found on this bear. Based on photos, this grizzly bear also looks like the bear that got into garages, a barn, and killed chickens in the immediate area during the last two years.
The Interagency decision was made to remove this grizzly bear from the population because of the degree of food conditioning. The grizzly was euthanized on August 1st.
“It is always regrettable to put in the position of removing a grizzly bear from the population,” says Region One FWP Wildlife Program Manager Neil Anderson. “In this case the bear was heavily food conditioned and the removal was in the interest of public safety.”
Attached photos shows damage to the door of the trailer.
