Grizzly cub killed near Columbia Falls. 48 less grizzlies so far this year in region, most of them dead

A male grizzly bear cub was killed in a train collision last week on the railroad tracks near Columbia Falls.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway reported hitting a grizzly bear near North Hilltop Road on Nov. 8, 2018. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks responded and did not find any evidence of attractants at the site nor were there any additional bears involved in the crash. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was notified of the death.

Two additional grizzly bears were identified as dead in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem in the last month.

An adult female grizzly bear was found dead near Sullivan Creek southwest of Hungry Horse Reservoir. The bear was wearing a GPS radio collar that notified FWP of the mortality. FWP investigated the scene and determined the bear likely died of natural causes.

A separate adult female grizzly bear was found dead near Wildcat Creek west of Hungry Horse Reservoir. The bear was also wearing a GPS radio collar that notified FWP. Upon investigation, FWP determined the animal also likely died of natural causes.

So far this year, 48 grizzly bear mortalities have been identified in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem due to a variety of circumstances, including management action, collisions, natural deaths and augmentation. Bears are classified as mortalities if they die, are taken to an accredited zoo or research facility if possible, are euthanized or are moved to another ecosystem. One-to-two bears are annually targeted for relocation to the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem as part of an augmentation program.

The NCDE, which stretches from Glacier National park south to Lincoln, is home to more than 1,000 grizzly bears. The NCDE is a designated grizzly bear recovery zone that spans Glacier National Park, parts of the Flathead and Blackfeet Indian Reservations, parts of five national forests and a significant amount of state and private lands.

FWP maintains a population monitoring program and follows protocols and management objectives designed to maintain a healthy grizzly bear population in the NCDE. This includes tracking known mortalities, whether bears are killed or removed from the population, and notifying the public.

Bears are still actively seeking food sources before the winter denning season. Bears typically enter their dens by late November and early December and do no re-emerge until spring.

Residents and recreationists are urged to be “bear aware” and follow precautionary steps and tips to prevent conflicts, like carrying bear spray when hiking and hunting and securing attractants like garbage and pet foods in and around the house.