Tribal wildlife biologists lethally removed two female yearling grizzly bears from the St. Ignatius area on Tuesday.
Biologists saw one of the yearlings chasing livestock. Similar reports have been noted around St. Ignatius.Germaine White of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes says the decision to euthanize became clear when the young grizzlies were indifferent to human proximity.
“When the bear biologists made attempts to haze them, they were unfazed. They have been very habituated by humans. “
White says this sort of thing not unusual.
“Unfortunately, we have had bears removed in the past, we encourage people to eliminate attractants.”
Attracts would mean garbage, pet foods and bird seed. White recommends an electric fence to keep bears away from livestock.
People with bear problems on the Flathead Reservation are encouraged to call Tribal Dispatch at 406-675-4700.