Latest news with #BearManagementGuidelines
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
4-year-old bear aggressively seeking food killed at Montana national park
A 4-year-old female bear started aggressively searching for food in a Montana national park, so it was killed, rangers said. The bear was euthanized June 5 in West Glacier in Glacier National Park, the National Park Service said in a news release obtained by McClatchy News. 'The bear consistently attempted to enter vehicles and buildings on private property inside the park,' park officials said in the release. It successfully got into one building and one vehicle, officials said. The same bear was captured in 2022 in Kalispell by wildlife officers and relocated to Puzzle Creek, officials said. But it didn't show signs of being food-conditioned until this June, so it was killed, officials said. Park officials said another bear and her cub got a 'food reward from an unattended backpack' June 7 in the park. The Going-to-the Sun Road, which is used by hikers and bikers, was then closed off. 'Wildlife rangers are attempting to discourage the bears bad behavior. If unsuccessful, the bears may have to be relocated or euthanized per the parks Bear Management Guidelines,' officials said. Park officials said a bear can become food-conditioned when it gets a 'human food reward,' which include food, trash, livestock feed and pet food. It can then become more aggressive and bold as it tries to find a human food source. It will need to be killed as hazing the animal will no longer work, park officials said. Glacier National Park visitors can do their part in stopping bears from becoming food-conditioned and comfortable around people, officials said, by: Always keeping your bag or backpack with you and away from bearsNever stopping near bear along a roadStaying 100 yards away from bears at all times The national park is in northwestern Montana. What to do if you see a bear Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space. There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack. Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you're a human and nonthreatening. Stay calm: Bears usually don't want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear. Don't scream: Screaming could trigger an attack. Pick up small children: Don't let kids run away from the bear. It could think they're small prey. Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people. Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don't make any sudden movements. Don't drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection. Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out. Again, don't run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would. Don't climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Two black bears involved in separate food-related conflicts in Glacier, one euthanized
Black bears rummage through dumpsters. (Photo courtesy of FWP) On June 5, an aggressive food-conditioned black bear was euthanized in West Glacier, according to a news release from Glacier National Park said. The park said another black bear and cub could be relocated or euthanized after someone left a backpack unattended and the bears found food in it. The euthanized bear was a 4-year old female black bear. The bear consistently attempted to enter vehicles and buildings on private property inside the park and was eventually successful in entering at least one building and a vehicle. In 2022, the bear was captured in Kalispell by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and relocated to Puzzle Creek, south of Marias Pass. The bear was seen in the West Glacier area last year, but the increase in food-conditioned behavior began in June of this year. On June 7, the Going-to-the Sun Road was opened to its entirety for hiker and biker access, but was closed in the afternoon above the loop after a female black bear with a cub-of-the-year received a food reward from an unattended backpack. Wildlife rangers are attempting to discourage the bears' bad behavior. If unsuccessful, the bears may have to be relocated or euthanized per the park's Bear Management Guidelines. 'Once a bear receives a human food reward, it is very likely to become food conditioned,' the park said. 'Food rewards can include items such as human food, trash, livestock feed, and pet food. 'Over time, food conditioned bears may become bold or aggressive in their attempts to obtain human food. Once a bear has become food-conditioned, hazing and aversive conditioning are unlikely to be successful in reversing this type of behavior, and these bears are euthanized. Food-conditioned bears are not relocated due to human safety concerns.' The park asked visitors to never let a bear get their backpacks, don't stop near bears on the road, and view them from at least 100 yards. It said roadside bears quickly become habituated to people, and habituated bears may learn to frequent campgrounds, where they gain access to human food. 'To protect human life and property, bears that seek human food must be lethally removed from the population,' the park said. For more information about recreating in bear country, please visit Bear Safety – Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service).
