Montana Wildlife Managers Face Escalating Bear Conflicts Amid Suspected Intentional Feeding
Wildlife managers in southern Montana, particularly in Red Lodge, are grappling with an unprecedented surge in bear conflicts, leading to a significant number of bears being euthanized. Daniel McHugh, a bear management specialist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, reported that six bears, including two grizzlies, had been killed in the less-than-3-square-mile city by late August. The agency has responded to over 200 conflict reports within 15 miles of Red Lodge since spring. These conflicts often involve bears exhibiting unusual aggression, such as stalking and chasing people, and entering human dwellings. Officials attribute this behavior to a scarcity of natural food sources due to a dry winter and late freeze, which drives bears closer to human settlements in search of food. A major concern highlighted by wildlife officials, including game warden Matt Heaton, is the suspected intentional feeding of bears by some residents, which habituates the animals to human presence and food, increasing the likel...
