GREAT FALLS — A large male grizzly bear was euthanized on Monday southeast of Red Lodge after it was captured for the second time this summer at the site of livestock depredation.
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks said in a press release that the bear, about eight years old and 400 pounds, was captured over the weekend by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, which set a trap on private land where cattle had been killed.
The bear also was trapped on June 30 at the site of cattle depredation in the same area. It was fitted with a radio collar and released 10 miles away by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Wildlife Services.
On July 20, the collar failed and dropped off of the bear. FWP recovered the collar by following the radio signal.
When the bear was again implicated in cattle depredation southeast of Red Lodge Monday, FWP consulted with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and decided to remove the animal.
So far this summer, 16 instances of livestock depredation have been reported both east and west of Red Lodge.
Several other grizzlies have been euthanized in Montana over the spring and summer.
On July 19, wildlife officials euthanized a young grizzly near Tiber Dam after it killed dozens of sheep.
A grizzly bear in the Blackfoot Valley was euthanized on May 12 following repeated break-ins at a barn to access grain.
A young, male grizzly was euthanized in the Sun River Valley on May 1 after killing several calves while a sub-adult male grizzly was put down in the Helmville Valley in late April for its involvement in livestock depredations.
Grizzly bear euthanized near Augusta for killing calves
Grizzly bear euthanized near Wolf Creek after killing cows
2 grizzly bears relocated from the Flathead Valley
Grizzly bear spotted north of Conrad captured, relocated
Grizzly euthanized after killing calves in the Helmville Valley
Grizzly bears captured near Whitefish killed after preying on chickens, damaging property
Grizzly bear euthanized in Sun River Valley for killing calves
