WEST GLACIER, Mont. [June 10, 2025] – Glacier National Park officials remind visitors to always keep food and other attractants away from bears, after two black bears obtained human food.
On June 5, an aggressive food-conditioned black bear was euthanized in West Glacier. The bear was a 4-year old female black bear. The bear consistently attempted to enter vehicles and buildings on private property inside the park and was eventually successful in entering at least one building and a vehicle. In 2022 the bear was captured in Kalispell by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and relocated to Puzzle Creek, south of Marias Pass. The bear was seen in the West Glacier area last year, but the increase in food-conditioned behavior began in June of this year.
On June 7, the Going-to-the Sun Road was opened to its entirety for hiker biker access, but was closed in the afternoon above the loop after a female black bear with a cub-of-the-year received a food reward from an unattended backpack. Wildlife rangers are attempting to discourage the bears bad behavior. If unsuccessful, the bears may have to be relocated or euthanized per the parks Bear Management Guidelines.
Once a bear receives a human food reward, it is very likely to become food conditioned. Food rewards can include items such as human food, trash, livestock feed, and pet food. Over time, food conditioned bears may become bold or aggressive in their attempts to obtain human food. Once a bear has become food-conditioned, hazing and aversive conditioning are unlikely to be successful in reversing this type of behavior and these bears are euthanized. Food-conditioned bears are not relocated due to human safety concerns.
Park visitors can help ensure the future of all bears by taking steps to prevent bears from becoming food conditioned. Never let a bear get your pack. Always keep it with you. If you see a bear along the road, please do not stop near it. If you wish to view the bear, travel at least 100 yards (91 m) and pull over in a safe location and view it from there. Roadside bears quickly become habituated to traffic and people, increasing their chances of being hit by vehicles and obtaining human food rewards. Habituated bears may also learn to frequent campgrounds and picnic areas, where they may gain access to human food. To protect human life and property, bears that seek human food must be lethally removed from the population. Do not stop and get close to roadside bears. Report all bear sightings to the nearest ranger.
For more information about recreating in bear country, please visit Bear Safety – Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service).
source: GNP press release
photo: pixabay
