Bear attacks tree planter in B.C.; griz euthanized near Hungry Horse

There have two notable encounters between grizzly bears and people over the last few weeks in northwest Montana and central British Columbia.

According to a news release from British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service, a bear, believed to be a grizzly, attacked and seriously injured a 21-year-old woman who was planting trees in an area southwest of Bearhole Lake Provincial Park/Protected Area near Tumbler Ridge when the incident occurred shortly after 3 p.m. July 6.

Officers determined the attack was defensive in nature and because of the remote proximity of the location, they believe the risk to public safety is low and are not undertaking any trapping efforts.

Officials reported the bear first bluff-charged and the victim retreated to a nearby roadway, where the bear attacked. The bear eventually stopped and ran off. A co-worker came to the woman’s aid and called for help.

Conservation officers determined bear activity was evident in the area, although no bears were seen when they arrived. At this time, Conservation Officers do not have conclusive physical evidence but believe the attack involved a grizzly.

The victim, who was interviewed by Conservation Officers, remains in hospital in stable condition.

Experts say the province has between 14,000 and 16,000 grizzlies. Grizzly hunting was stopped in the province in December 2017.

In northwest Montana, a subadult male grizzly bear was captured and euthanized on Monday, July 17 after several conflicts with people along Hungry Horse Reservoir the previous weekend.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, officials received reports of a bear approaching people and damaging boats near Murray Bay on the east side of the reservoir on the Flathead National Forest. The boats were beached on shore and did not have food onboard. Attempts to move the bear away with loud noises were unsuccessful, the state agency reported.

Based on reports and video footage, officials determined the bear was food conditioned and habituated to people. The decision was made to euthanize the bear after consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and by Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee guidelines.

According the Fish, Wildlife and Parks, once a bear becomes food-conditioned, hazing and aversive conditioning are unlikely to be successful in reversing the behavior. Food-conditioned and habituated bears are not relocated due to human safety concerns.

People are asked to report bear conflicts immediately.

In northwest Montana, contact:

• Cabinet-Yaak ecosystem and Sanders County - Kim Annis, 406-291-1320
• North portion of Flathead County and Eureka area - Justine Vallieres, 406-250-1265
• South portion of Flathead County - Erik Wenum, 406-250-0062
• Flathead Indian Reservation - Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Wildlife Management Program, 406-275-2774