Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials killed a food-conditioned grizzly bear in Big Sky.
The adult female accessed garbage in several bear-resistant containers that had been improperly secured as well as unsecured food in a vehicle.
Officials captured the bear on August 4 and consulted with U.S. Fish and Wildlife to determine the bear was conditioned to human food sources and needed to be euthanized.
Grizzly bears are found throughout western Montana. Required bear-safe behaviors vary by region, but may include securing food and garbage, carrying bear spray and removing outdoor birdseed and pet food. A complete list of suggested bear-safe behaviors can be found at fwp.mt.gov.
Facing threats from habitat loss, hunting and conflicts with people and livestock, grizzly bear numbers dwindled to fewer than 1,000 in the lower 48 by the time the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was implemented in 1975. Now, wildlife managers say the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide populations have recovered and are ready for delisting. Here's a timeline of the management actions, court cases and notable events that have shaped grizzly bear recovery since their ESA listing through today.