Grizzly euthanized after killing calves on ranch near Ovando

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks euthanized a young male grizzly bear on Monday, April 13, after it killed three calves over a period of several days on a ranch east of Ovando in the Blackfoot Valley.

The grizzly killed three calves between Friday, April 10 and Sunday, April 12.  The bear was also suspected to have been responsible for another livestock injury in the same area the week before.  

Because the bear remained in the area, continuing to pursue livestock, wildlife officials set traps for the bear. FWP bear management specialist, Jamie Jonkel, said that unfortunately once bears repeatedly pursue livestock, this can be a very hard pattern to break.

Officials trapped the bear on Monday, April 13, and FWP made the decision to euthanize the bear in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and in accordance with Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee guidelines.

The rancher is working with the local Blackfoot Challenge watershed group to set up an electric fence to help prevent future livestock depredations.

For more information, please call Vivaca Crowser at 406-542-5518.