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State to euthanize food-conditioned bear in Red Lodge due to community safety threat – Daily Montanan [1]

['Daily Montanan Staff', 'More From Author', '- July']

Date: 2023-07 

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife staff are working to trap and euthanize a bear in Red Lodge after it displayed unnatural behavior considered a threat to the community.

According to a FWP press release Thursday, a yearling black bear has broken into two vehicles, gotten inside a home and two garages, stolen a backpack and approached people. The department said the bear would be euthanized due to its “likely irreversible food-conditioned behavior” being a threat to humans in the area. The department is reminding those in regions with larger bear populations to be vigilant about bear attractant management.

“This is unnatural bear behavior and is the direct result of this bear finding human or pet food items and quickly becoming dependent upon them,” the release said.

The department said there are currently a number of habituated and food conditioned bears in the Red Lodge area, and that bears searching for food is what leads to occasional negative bear-human interactions.

“In urban areas with potentially unlimited opportunities for a bear to find human or pet foods, everyone has a role to play in keeping wildlife wild and out of conflict with humans,” the release said.

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[1] Url: https://dailymontanan.com/briefs/state-to-euthanize-food-conditioned-bear-in-red-lodge-due-to-community-safety-threat/

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