A 3-year old, 271-pound male grizzly was captured Saturday morning between Highway 2 and the Whitefish River, just southeast of Whitefish. According to Grizzly Bear Management Specialist Tim Manley, the bear had been in the area for about a week and was reported feeding on unsecured garbage and apples. The property where the bear was caught has now had their garbage dumpster replaced with a bear-resistant dumpster.

Manley said that the bear had not been captured previously. The bear had likely come from the Whitefish Range, so he was released on Sunday in the northern portion of the Whitefish Range in the Whale Creek Drainage. The bear was fitted with a GPS radio collar so biologists can follow its movements.

Manley reminds residents to pick up all apples as they fall, and to secure all attractants

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

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