Park officials kill black bear that threatened Glacier campers

Glacier National Park staff on Thursday euthanized a black bear that had repeatedly wandered through the Many Glacier Campground, showing no fear of people, approaching visitors and stealing food, officials said.

The bear, an adult female around 4 years old that weighed about 120 pounds, was caught in a culvert trap Wednesday near the Many Glacier employee housing area, the park said in a news release. A park employee shot and killed the bear early Thursday after consulting with wildlife biologists; a necropsy found the animal was in healthy condition.

A park spokeswoman said the bear was killed the day after it was captured because park staff had to perform tests and confirm it was the right bear.

The bear's presence recently prompted park officials to prohibit tent camping at Many Glacier; campers were restricted to sleeping in hard-sided vehicles. Officials said the bear was seen moving through the campground on Saturday and didn't readily leave when people tried to shoo it away.

On Sunday, the bear was seen snatching apples from an open trunk, within yards of visitors who were packing up the vehicle, officials said. The bear proceeded to eat the apples at the campsite.

"While park staff attempted to verbally haze the bear out of the campground, the bear tried to stop at another campsite where people were preparing breakfast and after being hazed out into the woods, returned half an hour later," the park said in its news release.

Based on photos and visitor reports, park staff believe the bear could be the same one that approached people exhibited "unusual behavior" near Grinnell Lake last week, prompting the Aug. 25 closure of the Grinnell Lake trail. DNA samples collected from both sites will be tested and compared to determine if the same animal was involved in both incidents.

With the bear gone, Many Glacier Campground is again open to all types of camping.

Park officials urge visitors to keep campgrounds and developed areas free of food and trash that can attract bears. Visitors, as well as residents and businesses in and around the park, also should secure attractants such as pet food and livestock feed.

Visitors should hike in groups and always carry bear spray. Motorists should not stop or slow down to look at bears, as doing so can cause hazardous traffic jams. And all bear sightings should be reported to the nearest park ranger, officials said.

Assistant editor Chad Sokol may be reached at 406-758-4439 or csokol@dailyinterlake.com.