Grizzly Euthanized for Cattle Depredations near Wolf Creek
By angelamontana

Posted: August 13, 2019

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks euthanized an adult male grizzly bear Aug. 12 for cattle depredations north of Wolf Creek, about 40 miles north of Helena and 15 miles west of Holter Dam.
FWP bear management specialist, Mike Madel, said the bear was approximately 5 and a half years old and weighed 474 pounds.

“It’s unusual for a bear to kill a full-grown cow,” Madel said. “That’s because the bear risks getting injured depredating on a cow. This bear killed a couple of cows each weighing about 1,200 pounds.”

Although there was the possibility this bear was traveling with another bear, Madel said he was convinced the correct animal was captured based on paw print measurements.
“We feel strongly we captured the right bear,” Madel said.

The bear was captured by federal Wildlife Services.

Due to the livestock depredations, FWP decided to euthanize it in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and in accordance with Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee guidelines.

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