On July 19th, a 72-year-old Montana native was strolling through Flathead National Forest picking berries before getting ambushed by a grizzly bear, suffering significant injuries.
In an act of self-defense, he shot and killed the bear with his handgun. The resident, who remains unnamed, was all alone during this potentially life-threatening attack and was later rushed to hospital.
Possible Cause of Attack
The bear was likely acting defensively to protect its cubs, explained agency spokesperson Dillon Tabish. Such behavior is common among female grizzlies with offspring.
Search for Cubs
Wildlife workers set up game cameras in the area to confirm the presence of any cubs. If cubs are found, their fate is uncertain due to the difficulty of locating qualified facilities to care for them, said Tabish.
Decision on Cubs
“Depending on the age, we might leave them in the wild because they have a better chance of survival, rather than have to euthanize them,” Tabish noted, highlighting the challenging decisions wildlife managers face.
Location of Attack
The attack took place in the Flathead National Forest, about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Columbia Falls, a northwestern Montana city with approximately 5,500 residents, according to state wildlife authorities.
Victim’s Condition
The name of the victim and further details on his condition were not disclosed by officials.
Second Incident in Gardiner
On the same day, Fish, Wildlife, and Parks department staff killed an adult female grizzly in Gardiner, a town just north of Yellowstone National Park. The bear had become accustomed to seeking food from people and breaking into houses, posing a threat to public safety.
Diet and Behavior of Grizzly Bears
Grizzly bears are omnivores, feeding on a diverse diet that includes berries, plants, fish, and small mammals. They can become aggressive, especially when defending their cubs or territory, and when they become habituated to human food sources.
Grizzly Bear Conservation Status
Grizzly bears in the contiguous United States are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. While an estimated 2,000 grizzlies roam parts of western Wyoming, eastern Idaho, and western Montana, several thousand more inhabit the Canadian Rockies and Alaska. Elected officials in Rocky Mountain states are urging federal authorities to lift their protected status, potentially opening the door to future hunting.
Challenges in Managing Grizzly Bear Populations
Wildlife managers sometimes relocate grizzly bears that cause problems for people. However, bears involved in predatory attacks on humans or those deemed likely to continue causing issues are often euthanized to ensure public safety. This management strategy highlights the delicate balance between conservation efforts and human-wildlife conflict resolution.
Average Size and Lifespan of Grizzly Bears
Grizzly bears are one of the largest bear species, with males typically weighing between 400 to 600 pounds (180 to 270 kg) and females weighing between 250 to 350 pounds (110 to 160 kg). They stand about 3.3 feet (1 meter) tall at the shoulder and can reach up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) in length. In the wild, grizzly bears can live up to 25 years, though many do not reach this age due to various threats, including human encounters and habitat loss.
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