Black bear that stole family picnic euthanized

A 5-year-old black bear that scared a family away from its picnic on the east side of Glacier National Park has been put down for that incident and other behavior that indicated it did not fear people.

The male bear was killed Friday, a day after confronting a family eating at a picnic table at the Two Medicine Picnic Area. 

Members of the family yelled and clapped their hands, but the bear charged toward the table and the family retreated to their vehicle. The bear then ate their food.

A park ranger initially used rubber bullets and beanbags to haze the bear away from the area.

Rangers say the same 225-pound bear had been seen digging in a fire pit, wandering around the trail system in the area and exhibiting signs that it did not fear people, making it a threat to human safety.