Food-Conditioned Black Bear Killed in Glacier National Park
WEST GLACIER, MONT. – On Wednesday, September 8 park rangers at Glacier National Park shot and killed a food-conditioned male black bear in the Many Glacier Valley, park officials announced. This decision and subsequent action was authorized only after repeated episodes of aversive conditioning to haze the bear away from the area and after consultation with wildlife biologists, and in accordance with Glacier National Park’s bear management plan.
Wednesday morning rangers found food garbage and other debris on the ground outside a bear-proof garbage container in the Many Glacier Valley. Rangers noted evidence that an animal had rummaged through and fed on the garbage, when a dark brown-colored adult black bear was observed sitting behind the garbage container about 10 feet away.
The bear appeared ill and looked to have an injured lower jaw. Rangers attempted to dart and tranquilize the bear twice, but were unsuccessful in administering a full dose, after which the bear climbed a tree and remained there most of the day.
That evening, rangers observed the same bear opening the bear-proof garbage can and eating food directly from the container. After consultation, it was agreed that attempts at aversive conditioning were not working and given the fact that the bear had developed and demonstrated food-seeking behavior, it was then destroyed according to park policy.
During the necropsy the bear’s stomach was found to be full of garbage. The bear weighed 170 pounds and was emaciated. The necropsy also revealed that a portion of the lower jaw was missing, possibly from a gunshot wound.
Mick Holm, park superintendent remarked, “We hate to kill any park wildlife, but this bear had clearly learned how to open garbage cans and receive a food reward. We could not allow this bear to remain in the wild.”
Holm stressed that all park visitors should be alert for bears and other wildlife while hiking, camping, and bicycling or simply walking and/or driving along park roads. He stated, “Be alert for signs of bear activity such as evidence of feeding on a carcass, tracks, trampled vegetation, or droppings (scat). Make loud noises to make your presence known and do not approach bears under any circumstances."
Bears are scouting for food at all elevations, bringing them to places they might not normally search for food. Bears will continue foraging and eating as much as possible until they begin to den, usually in mid-October. However, if autumn weather is mild, some bears wait to den until November or December.
Glacier National Park’s bear management program strives to ensure a natural and free-ranging population of black and grizzly bears. One key aspect of the program is the separation of bears from unnatural food. “Human food and garbage are chief culprits in the creation of problem bears. We remind everyone to keep food, garbage, grills, pet food, birdseed, and other attractants stored indoors and unavailable to bears and other wildlife,” Holm urged. “Whenever anyone leaves food or attractants available for bears, they create situations that invite bears to become problem bears which could ultimately endanger someone or cause the bear’s demise.”
Park staff, state, and other federal agencies strive to protect bear populations through outreach, public education, visitor use management -- such as enforcement of regulations for proper food and garbage storage -- hazing, aversive conditioning, relocation of problem bears, and/or occasional removal of bears if necessary.
All bear sightings within the park should be reported, promptly, to the nearest ranger, ranger station or visitor center or by calling park headquarters at 406-888-7800. Information from bear sightings is utilized to prevent incidents from happening. Only if park personnel are aware of a bear’s presence in a particular area, can any attempt be made to prevent the animal from receiving food and/or garbage rewards and thereby prevent bears from developing human food-seeking behavior?
