Child Injured in Black Bear Attack at Red Lodge Campground
A black bear attacked and injured a child at a private campground south of Red Lodge around 10 p.m. on Sunday, August 11. The child was inside a tent when the subadult female bear entered and caused injuries. The child was quickly transported to a medical facility in Billings for treatment.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) responded to the incident, setting traps at the campsite that night. The campground was evacuated by the morning of August 12. Additional traps and snares were deployed once the evacuation was complete. The bear was captured later that afternoon and was euthanized.
FWP officials found unsecured attractants, including garbage, a cooler, and human food, around and inside the tent where the attack occurred. The bear, which had no prior history of conflicts, likely became food-conditioned and human-habituated due to these attractants. The physical characteristics and evidence at the site led FWP to believe that the bear they captured was the one involved in the attack.
FWP received assistance from the Red Lodge Police Department, Wyoming Game & Fish Department, and the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office.
Bear Safety Tips:
Montana is bear country, and it’s important to be bear aware while camping. To avoid bear encounters:
- Keep food and scented items out of tents.
- Dispose of garbage in bear-resistant bins or take it with you.
- Follow food storage orders from local agencies and store food properly.
- Use bear boxes, hard-sided vehicles, or IGBC-certified bear-resistant containers for storage.
For more information on bear safety, visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware.
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