A female grizzly bear between 3 and 5 years old has been euthanized by the Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Park services after it repeatedly sought out garbage and unsecured food sources in Big Sky, Montana, creating property damage and posing a risk to humans.
- A grizzly bear was euthanized for repeatedly seeking unsecured food in Big Sky.
- The bear accessed garbage and found unsecured food in a vehicle.
- Efforts to deter the bear with proper storage and fencing failed.
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff made the difficult decision based on safety risks.
Grizzly Habituated to Human Food
In the resort town of Big Sky,Montana, a grizzly bear was euthanized this month after it consistently sought out unsecured attractants. Despite attempts to discourage its behavior through hazing, proper storage and electric fencing, the bear continued to access human food sources.
On August 4, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks took action, capturing the bear. In consultation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the decision to kill the bear was made on August 6 due to it”s habituation to food from unnatural sources, posing a potential threat to human safety. The grizzly bear was identified as a female without cubs and estimated to be between 3 and 5 years old.
Montana FWP spokesperson Morgan Jacobson reported that the bear accessed garbage cans in Big Sky that were bear-resistant but unsecured. Wildlife officials urge those living in bear country to secure garbage cans in a locked enclosure.
Bear-proofing Your Trash
Enabling bears to access garbage creates a problem for both humans and bears. Bears are persistent in seeking out trash for its an easy food reward, often breaking into homes and vehicles.
Secure Storage
Lock trash and recyclables inside your home, a locked garage, or a wooden or metal outbuilding. Don’t leave trash outside overnight as even an empty trash can might attract bears. Don’t store your garbage on decks, porches, or vehicles. If stored in a garage or outbuilding, make sure windows and doors are locked.
Bear-Resistant Measures
Ordinary fences won’t deter bears. Consider a chain-link enclosure with a concrete base and locking gate. Remember, odors attract bears, so always lock the enclosure and monitor surroundings.
Freeze to Reduce Odors
Keep smelly garbage frozen until pick-up or disposal. Use a freezer bag for food scraps, bones, and more. Dispose of it only on trash pick-up day.
Cleanliness is Key
Clean trash containers regularly with ammonia or pine cleaner. Avoid fruity-smelling cleaners.. Use odor-removing air fresheners inside lids. Double bag or use odor-controlling trash bags.
Use Bear-Resistant Containers
Snap-on lids won’t deter bears as they can unlatch or pry them open. Bear-resistant containers or sturdy metal lids are better choices.
Latch Lids on Dumpsters
Secure dumpster lids to prevent bears from opening them. Replace flimsy lids with chained metal ones for cost-effective solutions.
Remember, proper trash handling ensures the safety of both humans and bears.
Grizzly Could Not Be Rehabilitated
Conservationists face the challenge of preserving bear populations while minimizing the risks to human communities. With grizzly bear numbers on the rise, encounters are becoming more common, necessitating vigilance in attractant management. Relocation, while seemingly a solution, often results in recurring conflicts as bears return to familiar areas. Hence, relocating such bears usually leads to further conflicts as bears accustomed to human food sources cannot be rehabilitated, and so, this female grizzly was taken out of the population due to human safety risks and property damage.
This is the second food-conditioned bear that Montana authorities have euthanized over the past month. A young male grizzly that had become food conditioned and was damaging boats and approachinghumans at Hungry Horse Reservoir was euthanized in July.
Reducing Conflict with Bears
This incident serves as yet another reminder of the importance of coexisting responsibly with wildlife. Understanding the consequences of attracting bears to human food sources can help mitigate risks and enhance safety for all.
- Securely store garbage, bird feeders, and attractants in bear-resistant containers.
- Never feed wildlife, as conditioned bears pose threats.
- Carry and know how to use bear spray.
- Travel in groups, make noise to alert bears, and avoid carcasses.
- Follow food storage orders from land management agencies.
- If encountering a bear, never approach; leave the area when safe.
For more information, visit the Bear Wise Wyoming page and ‘Grizzly and Black Bears – What’s the Difference.’
He attends Clemson University.
- Problem Grizzly Put Down in Big Sky - August 11, 2023
- Yellowstone Revealed Explores Indigenous history - August 9, 2023
- Wyoming Baseball Team to the American Legion World Series - August 9, 2023
