Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

FWP Kills Food Conditioned Grizzly Near Condon

Grizzly bear family. Stock photo.
iStock
/
iStock
Grizzly bear family. Stock photo.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks euthanized the mother of three grizzly bear cubs Tuesday in the Seeley-Swan Valley after she became food conditioned. 14 grizzlies from the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) have been euthanized this year, double the 10-year average.

FWP spokesperson Dillon Tabish says the mother of the three cubs became food conditioned after breaking into structures near Condon seeking grain ahead of the winter denning season.

"Fish, Wildlife and Parks captured the bears and in accordance with Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Guidelines and after consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the decision was made to euthanize the adult female due to food conditioning," Tabish says.

One of the sow’s three cubs stopped returning to the trap site and will be left to survive on its own. FWP was able to capture the other two young grizzlies.

"And they are going to be sent to the Grizzly [and] Wolf Discovery Center where they will live out the rest of their life in West Yellowstone," Tabish says.

Last year, 11 grizzly bears from the NCDE were euthanized.

FWP is reminding Montanans that bears are very active in the fall season as they seek out food ahead of winter. The agency is asking people to secure bear attractants like garbage, pet food, grain and bird seed to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

Aaron graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism in 2015 after interning at Minnesota Public Radio. He landed his first reporting gig in Wrangell, Alaska where he enjoyed the remote Alaskan lifestyle and eventually moved back to the road system as the KBBI News Director in Homer, Alaska. He joined the MTPR team in 2019. Aaron now reports on all things in northwest Montana and statewide health care.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information
Related Content