USFWS seeks info on grizzly bear poached near Babb

Hungry Horse News

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking information on the illegal killing of a sow grizzly bear in northern Montana. The bear, collared by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, was last known to be alive on May 4, 2020. Law enforcement agents believe the bear was killed on or around May 4 near Paisley Road, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

The GPS collar on the bear was found to have been physically cut from the carcass of the bear, shortly after the collar had registered a mortality signal. GPS coordinates uploaded from the device show that the collar had been moved away from the site of the kill and dumped in a separate location. The GPS collar has since been retrieved by the Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Department.

The Service is asking for your help. The Service is offering a monetary reward of up to $3,000 for information contributing significantly to and furthering the investigation into the death of this grizzly bear.

If you have any information about the killing of this grizzly bear, please call the Service’s Special Agent at 406-761-2286 or email lawenforcement@fws.gov. Members of the public who report information can remain anonymous.

The Service will apply applicable legal protections to hold accountable anyone who knowingly harasses, harms or feeds grizzly bears. Grizzly bears are currently protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.

This is at least the second bear poaching in Northwest Montana this year. Earlier this year a blonde grizzly bear was killed that had been roaming the Marias Pass area.