News July 21,2024 | Independence Journal Editorial Team

Elderly Man Survives Grizzly Bear Attack In Montana

A 72-year-old man from Montana killed a grizzly bear that attacked him while he was picking huckleberries. The incident occurred in the Flathead National Forest, a secluded area about two miles north of Columbia Falls.

While foraging alone, the man was confronted by an adult female grizzly bear. Despite sustaining severe injuries during the attack, he managed to fire his handgun, ultimately killing the bear. The unidentified man was subsequently taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) officials believe the bear was likely defending her cubs. Dillon Tabish, a spokesperson for the agency, stated, “It’s probable that the bear was trying to protect her young ones.” Wildlife workers are currently searching the area for any orphaned cubs. Tabish mentioned that the decision to capture or leave the cubs in the wild would depend on their age and ability to survive independently.

On the same day, FWP officials dealt with another problematic bear in Gardiner, Montana, near Yellowstone National Park. This bear, accustomed to scavenging for food in human settlements, had been breaking into homes and raiding garbage. Wildlife managers decided to euthanize the bear after it was found near the Yellowstone River, about 300 miles south of the Columbia Falls attack.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing grizzly bear populations in Montana. Bears often venture into human areas in search of food, leading to dangerous encounters. FWP typically relocates problematic bears but resorts to euthanasia if a bear is deemed a continuous threat to human safety.

As the community recovers from these incidents, FWP officials continue to educate residents on safely coexisting with wildlife. They urge people to secure garbage and remove outdoor food sources to minimize bear encounters.

Please leave your comment below!

*