Two grizzlies killed, others moved from Columbia Falls

Two grizzly bears were killed earlier last week after the bears became food conditioned from accessing bird feeders, unsecured chicken feed and other sources near residences north of Columbia Falls.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks bear specialists captured an adult female grizzly bear and its three yearlings on private property off Witty Lane.

Local residents had reported the bears were getting into bird feeders on porches, eating unsecured chicken feed and killing chickens, and had pushed open a barn door to access pig feed.

After talking with the local resident, Fish, Wildlife and Parks staff learned the group of bears had previously gotten into bird feeders and pig feed last fall, but the incidents were not reported to FWP.

In accordance with Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee guidelines and in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the adult female was euthanized due to food conditioning, which occurs when wildlife lose natural foraging habits.

Prior to capture, one of the yearlings appeared to be limping, and after further review at a local veterinarian clinic it was determined that the bear had a broken bone in its foot. After consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the female yearling was killed due to its injury.

After both agencies consulted with the National Park Service, the other two female yearlings were moved to the Logging Creek area in Glacier National Park.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks says it’s important for homeowners to keep food attractants secured. Attractants include garbage, pet and livestock food, birdfeeders, and fruit trees, but also include livestock, gardens, and outdoor food cookers.

The best way to secure an attractant is to make it inaccessible to the animal by containing it within a secure hard-sided building (a structure with four-sided walls, roof and door). Certified bear-resistant containers are useful in preventing the bear from learning that an attractant could be a food source. If containment inside a secure structure is not practical, properly installed and maintained electric fencing is a very effective tool.

Loud noise, such as banging pots and pans, using an air horn or your car alarm, or shouting, is also a simple yet effective short-term way to deter a bear.

Other temporary and short-term deterrents include high decibel motion-activated alarms, sprinkler systems, motion lights and radios turned on at night.

Feeding wildlife, such as bears and deer, is illegal.

Residents should report bear activity as soon as possible.

To report grizzly bear activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call FWP bear management specialists at 406-250-1265. To report black bear and mountain lion activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call 406-250-0062). To report bear activity in the Cabinet-Yaak area, call 406-291-1320.

For more information, visit fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/species/grizzlyBear.