Cooler-raiding black bear killed

Wildlife officials killed a black bear last week after it got into an unattended cooler of food at a campsite on the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

A Forest Service employee found large amounts of belongings and food scattered around at the Abbot Bay boat ramp on Saturday, June 13.

The group camping at the site said the bear had gotten into their food while they were away.

The bear also received food from another campsite that had items left out. The bear had broken into a converted bus at the boat ramp and removed numerous food and non-food items.

On June 15, Fish, Wildlife and Parks bear biologists captured the 110 pound, sub-adult black bear at the boat ramp.

The bear was euthanized after biologists determined that it had become habituated to receiving food rewards from campsites.