Grizzly put down after trailer break-ins

A grizzly bear that had become food-conditioned has been euthanized after it recently broke into three camp trailers in the North Fork of the Flathead River.

The 315-pound adult female bear was captured on private property south of Red Meadow Creek where the bear ransacked the unoccupied trailers where people had been living, according to Montana Fish Wildlife and Park’s Grizzly Bear Management Specialist Tim Manley. The bear was captured in a culvert trap that was set within 2 feet of one of the trailers.

The grizzly broke into the trailers on the evening of July 28 and ate dog food along with food in a cupboard. Photos show a large hole ripped into the door of one of the trailers and debris scattered around the floor on the inside. The bear was captured the next day.

The grizzly cut herself on glass from of one of the trailers and a fresh wound was found on the left front foot pad of the bear.

There was no evidence that the bear had cubs. She had no microchip or ear tags, but based on photos the grizzly bear was determined to look like a bear that over the last two years had gotten into garages, a barn and killed chickens in the immediate area.

Due to the bear’s degree of food conditioning, the interagency decision was made to remove it from the population. The grizzly was euthanized on Aug. 1.

“It is always regrettable to be put in the position of removing a grizzly bear from the population,” Region One FWP Wildlife Program Manager Neil Anderson said. “In this case the bear was heavily food conditioned and the removal was in the interest of public safety.”