Grizzly euthanized after fall on Going-to-the-Sun Road

Glacier National Park rangers euthanized a grizzly bear July 15 that fell off a cliff above Going-to-the-Sun Road.

According to a park press release, on July 15 at approximately 11:30 p.m., rangers discovered a partially paralyzed grizzly bear that had apparently fallen about 20 feet onto the road near Rim Rock, 1 mile west of Logan Pass.

Rangers determined the bear had sustained severe traumatic injuries, and after consulting with the park’s wildlife biologist, euthanized the bear.

An autopsy of the animal found significant trauma to the bear’s thoracic vertebrae, broken ribs and a dislocated hip. The non-lactating female bear was estimated to be 5-7 years old and appeared to be in otherwise good health.

Rangers initially thought the bear had been hit by a car, but evidence at the scene showed that the bear had slipped off an overhanging precipice and landed on its back in the road.

Park officials notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as required since the grizzly bear is listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, and informed Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks of the incident.

There are an estimated 300 grizzly bears in Glacier National Park.