Grizzly euthanized after spate of conflicts in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park officials on July 20 euthanized an aggressive and food-conditioned grizzly bear suspected of charging at a picnicking family near Swiftcurrent Lake Boat Launch earlier in the week.

The 5-year-old, radio-collared female grizzly was killed near Lake Sherburne, officials said in a press release. Park authorities coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prior to euthanizing the animal. It is the first time since 2009 officials have euthanized a food-condition bear inside the national park.

Officials believe the bear left camping in the Many Glacier Campground restricted in late June. Park employees limited the area to hard-sided camping on June 27 after receiving reports that a grizzly moving through the area ate unsecured human food from a picnic table. They later twice hazed the animal out of the campground, officials said.

The animal resurfaced at Swiftcurrent Lake Boat Launch on July 18 “where she aggressively charged a family picnicking on the shoreline,” officials said in a press release. While the group secured food items, the bear retrieved drinks left cooling in the lake.

Officials deemed the bear a threat to human safety following the string of run-ins at the park.

The female grizzly was outfitted with a radio collar in 2019 as part of a population study in the park. Officials estimate the park is home to 300 grizzlies.

Following the bear’s killing, park officials called on visitors to secure food and garbage, avoid stopping on roadways near bears and report all sightings to rangers.

A day prior, officials with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks euthanized a subadult male grizzly accused of approaching people and damaging boats near Murray Bay on the east side of the Hungry Horse Reservoir on the Flathead National Forest. Authorities similarly determined the bear had grown food conditioned and habituated to people. State officials made the decision to euthanize after consulting with the Fish and Wildlife Service.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.