Captured griz released up the North Fork

A three-year old, 271-pound male grizzly was captured Saturday morning, Sept. 15, between U.S. 2 and the Whitefish River, southeast of Whitefish.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks grizzly bear management specialist Tim Manley, the bear had been in the area for about a week and was reportedly feeding on unsecured garbage and apples. The Dumpster at the property has been replaced with a bear-resistant garbage receptacle.

Manley said the bear had not been captured previously and likely came from the Whitefish Range.

The bear was fitted with a GPS radio collar and released on Sunday up the North Fork in the Whale Creek drainage.

Manley reminds residents to pick up all apples as they fall, and to secure all bear attractants.