Earlier this month, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens received a report that people were intentionally feeding bears at a home north of Bozeman.
FWP spokesperson Morgan Jacobsen said investigators found several bears on the property late last week.
“We saw a large number of bears that were extremely food conditioned. They were not afraid of humans and there were large numbers of them on the property. Very unnatural behavior – unnatural circumstances.”
Fourteen bears were captured and euthanized.
“Fourteen bears being removed from a property, a residential property, that’s not normal,” Jacobsen says. “And it’s extremely unfortunate.”
Game Warden Capt. Josh Leonard said the killed bears were no longer dependent on natural foods and had absolutely no fear of humans. Experts say this behavior cannot be corrected through rehabilitation or relocation, adding that the animals clearly posed a risk to human safety.
One cub was taken to FWP’s Montana WILD Conservation and Rehabilitation Center in Helena. This animal is being considered for possible placement in an accredited zoo, but FWP notes that this is not always possible in these circumstances. The child’s future is uncertain.
State law prohibits feeding game animals, including bears.
The investigation into the reasons for their presence on the property continues.
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