Kalispell griz may have moved on

A grizzly bear that wandered well into the Kalispell area recently has eluded capture, probably finding its way back to safer territory.

The bear had been frequenting an area along a creek just off Two Mile Drive west of Kalispell.

Judging from tracks in the area, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials determined it was a grizzly bear and made the decision to capture it to prevent the bear from becoming habituated to areas occupied by humans.

A culvert trap and remote cameras were set up about 10 days ago. Because the bear was not detected again, the trap was pulled on Monday.

Separately, a female grizzly bear with two cubs had been roaming in the Middle Road area off Montana 206 near the Silver Bullet Bar.

As of Monday, the female and one cub had been captured. The trapping operation will continue until the second cub can be captured.

"We're concerned that these grizzlies will get into more attractants in the area like dog food and garbage, or bird seed," said Tim Manley, a state grizzly bear management specialist.

He added that the bear had been eating apples within 50 feet of homes, but they have not acted aggressively. When they are captured, the family group will be relocated.