Male grizzly moved to Bull River area

Another grizzly bear has been moved to the Cabinet-Yaak region as part of an ongoing population augmentation program.

The 2-year-old, 175-pound male grizzly was captured by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists about 20 miles north of Whitefish last week. The bear was fitted with a radio collar and released Saturday near the East Fork of the Bull River.

Fourteen grizzly bears, including 11 females and three males, have been moved to the Cabinet Mountains since 1990. Four females have left the target area and  four bears are known to be dead.

One of the bears that died survived for 16 years in the Cabinet Mountains, having at least nine offspring that in turn had at least eight young.

The Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bear recovery area is estimated to have fewer than 50 grizzly bears, but a detailed genetic population study is under way this summer to produce a more statistically reliable estimate.

Bear managers plan to move another female bear to the Cabinet Mountains sometime this year as long as a suitable candidate with no history of management problems and the right age can be captured.