Body of grizzly found

Another dead grizzly bear has been found in Northwest Montana, bringing the total this year to seven.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reported Tuesday that a grizzly bear carcass recently was recovered in the Middle Fork Flathead River drainage. Ed Kelly, the department's regional warden captain, would not reveal details about the bear's death, which is under investigation.

The number of grizzly deaths in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem is higher than it was at this time last year. But state and federal wildlife officials say it still is too early to tell whether it is a trend that will carry through the summer and fall.

Last year, an unprecedented 31 human-related bear deaths were recorded in the ecosystem.