Full Breakdown
14 Bears Euthanized Near Bozeman After Becoming Food-Conditioned
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) euthanized fourteen bears found near Bozeman after investigators determined the animals were food-conditioned and habituated to human presence. The agency discovered the situation following a citizen report of alleged bear feeding at a residential property. The case remains under investigation.
Background & Context
Feeding wildlife in Montana is prohibited under a statute that bans supplemental feed for game animals, including bears. When bears repeatedly obtain human food, they lose their natural wariness, repeatedly return to residential areas, and become difficult to manage. Relocating such bears is ineffective because they tend to return to the original food source.
Data & Statistics
- Bears euthanized: 14
- Potential penalties for intentional feeding: fines of $50–$1,000, imprisonment of up to six months in a county detention center, or both.
- One black-bear cub was captured; it is awaiting possible placement at an accredited zoo, with one cub already sent to FWP’s Montana WILD facility in Helena for potential relocation.
Official Statements & Responses
Morgan Jacobsen, information officer for FWP, described the outcome as “a really unfortunate situation” and emphasized that euthanasia is a last resort. He noted that the agency’s educational programs aim to prevent future conflicts by informing residents how to avoid attracting bears. Jacobsen also explained that while some bear parts may be used for education, the remaining carcasses are disposed of safely.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is a really unfortunate situation,” — Morgan Jacobsen
- “We received a report from a concerned citizen who called to report alleged feeding of bears at a residence near Bozeman,” — Morgan Jacobsen
- “The penalty really depends. Montana does have a statute that prohibits providing supplemental feed to game animals, which includes bears,” — Morgan Jacobsen
- “Once a bear gets habituated to finding food in residential or urban areas, that’s a behavior that can’t be rehabilitated,” — Morgan Jacobsen
- “And it can’t be fixed by relocating the bear either because they just come right back to places where they found food around people.” — Morgan Jacobsen
- “FWP has a lot of educational programs to help people understand, ‘How can we avoid conflicts with wildlife in the first place?’” — Morgan Jacobsen