Food-habituated Bigfork bear killed

A young black bear recently was killed by state officials in the Bigfork area because of its proximity to people and its history of getting into bird feeders, garbage cans and pet foods.

The 1 1/2-year-old, 85-pound bear was put down on July 3.

“As a young bear, with high habituation, it is highly likely that he would have become a significant threat to human safety in the near future,” a press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks states.

Bear biologists note that it is the responsibility of all people to be bear-aware and protect wildlife that shows up in their backyards. All of Northwest Montana is prime black-bear habitat, and while bears are not expected to stay in city limits, it is common to see them passing through.

Residents living in bear country are urged to lock up all garbage and pet foods. Bird feeders should only be placed outdoors from mid-November to April, while bears are in their dens for the winter. Chickens and bee farms should be fenced with electric wire for bears. Bears are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of any easy food left available to them.

Biologists say that bears are single-response learners. Once a residence has rewarded a bear, it will repeatedly visit the same site and nearby homes looking for additional food.