Montana Unveils Grizzly Bear Conflict Dashboard

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has introduced a new Grizzly Bear Conflict Dashboard to provide public access to information on human-grizzly bear conflicts across the state, particularly in areas seeing population expansion along the Continental Divide and in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). As grizzly bears move into regions they haven’t inhabited for over a century, FWP is intensifying efforts to promote safety and reduce conflicts, according to a July 11th announcement.

The dashboard, accessible via FWP’s grizzly bear management webpage, details where conflicts occur and the types of issues reported, such as livestock depredations or bears accessing unsecured attractants like garbage. “Managing grizzly bear conflicts continues to be a priority for our staff, and the workload is increasing every year,” said FWP Director Christy Clark. The tool aims to increase transparency and educate communities about conflict patterns, helping Montanans stay bear-aware.

This initiative follows the release of FWP’s Grizzly Bear Mortality Dashboard in September 2024, which tracks human-caused bear deaths, reporting 29 in Montana’s portion of the GYE in 2024 alone. A forthcoming relocation dashboard, expected later this summer, will provide data on grizzly and black bear relocations, currently available on the FWP website. Conflict data on the new dashboard is updated after incidents are resolved, with entries starting from mid-June 2025, and earlier data to be added as time permits.

Grizzly bears remain federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, despite populations in the GYE and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) exceeding recovery goals, with an estimated 2,000 bears in Montana. Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming have petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist grizzlies, with a decision expected by January 31, 2026. FWP’s management plan, finalized in September 2024, emphasizes conflict prevention, habitat connectivity, and public safety, preparing for potential state management.For those experiencing bear conflicts, FWP encourages contacting bear management specialists, with details on their website. Additional resources, including safety tips and the conflict dashboard, are available at fwp.mt.gov.