OVANDO — State wildlife officials have reported that an adult male grizzly bear was euthanized last week after four livestock conflicts in the upper Blackfoot Valley.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) wildlife specialists stated that the conflicts began in mid-July east of Lincoln, where the bear first killed a calf on leased private property.
MTN News
A news release stated that the first depredation was not discovered for a few days, so traps were not set. FWP collaborated with the landowner and others to try to prevent more livestock depredations, but the bear persisted and continued to pursue cattle.
Additional depredations occurred in the first week of August, with three calves being killed in a five-day period.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) authorized the removal of the bear, and game cameras were set up on one of the carcasses. The bear was eventually shot and killed by U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services on Aug. 13.
For more information on living, working, and recreating in bear country, visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware.
