Grizzly Captured near Whitefish and Euthanized

On Wednesday September 5, FWP personnel captured a subadult male grizzly bear along the Stillwater River, southwest of Whitefish near the KM Ranch Road. The grizzly bear had been moved in July from the Lincoln area into the Coal Creek Drainage of the Whitefish Range north of Columbia Falls.

Over the course of a month, the bear crossed the Whitefish Divide and traveled along the Stillwater River between Lupfer Meadows and Lost Creek. The 238-pound male grizzly was getting into livestock feed, pet food, garbage, bird feeders, and apples. Numerous reports of the bear were received by FWP over the course of several weeks. The bear was finally captured Wednesday morning. Due to the history and food-conditioned behavior of the bear, the decision was made to remove the bear and it was taken to a local veterinary clinic and euthanized.

To reduce grizzly conflicts, Grizzly Bear Management Specialist Tim Manley reminds residents to secure all food attractants, including livestock and pet feed, bird feeders, and especially fruit falling from trees.