Food-Conditioned Black Bear Euthanized near Many Glacier Campground

Yesterday, Glacier National Park staff euthanized a black bear in the Many Glacier area after it obtained human foods and exhibited behavior that put human safety at risk.

Many Glacier Campground recently restricted campers to hard-sided vehicles due to the presence of the bear. The campground is now open to all camper types again, including tents.

On Saturday, August 28, the black bear was reported moving through the Many Glacier Campground and was not readily responsive to attempts to move it out of campsites.

On Sunday, August 29, the bear returned and was observed snatching apples out of an open trunk while visitors were nearby packing their vehicle. The bear then proceeded to eat the apples at the campsite, exhibiting little fear of humans. While park staff attempted to verbally haze the bear out of the campground, the bear tried to stop at another campsite where people were preparing breakfast and after being hazed out into the woods, returned half an hour later.

Based on photographs and visitor reports, it is possible this could be the same bear that was approaching people and exhibiting unusual behavior near Grinnell Lake last week, resulting in closure of the Grinnell Lake trail on August 25th. DNA samples collected from both sites will be tested and compared to determine if the same animal was involved in both incidents.

On Wednesday, September 1, the adult female bear was trapped in a culvert trap near the Many Glacier housing area.

In accordance with Glacier National Park’s Bear Management Plan, and in consultation with park wildlife biologists, the bear was euthanized. The bear was estimated to be around four-years old and approximately 120 pounds. A field necropsy revealed it to be in otherwise healthy condition.

Food-conditioned bears are those that have sought and obtained non-natural foods, destroyed property, or displayed aggressive, non-defensive behavior towards humans and are removed from the wild. Given this bear’s behavior and successful acquisition of human foods the decision was made to remove the animal from the park. Once a bear has become food-conditioned, hazing and aversive conditioning are unlikely to be successful in reversing this type of behavior. Food-conditioned bears are not relocated due to human safety concerns.

Black bears are not good candidates for animal capture facilities such as zoos and animal parks due to the plentiful nature of the species throughout the United States.

Visitors are reminded to keep campgrounds and developed areas clean and free of food and trash. Local residents and businesses located in and around the park are reminded to secure all types of non-natural food sources including garbage, livestock feed, pet food, bird seed, and hummingbird feeders.

If you see a bear along the road, please do not stop. Stopping and watching roadside bears will likely start a "bear jam" as other motorists follow your lead. "Bear jams" are hazardous to both people and bears as they limit visibility, restrict the movement of the bear, and have the potential to increase the likelihood of the bear approaching cars and people in the future. Report all bear sightings to the nearest ranger.

Glacier National Park is home to both black and grizzly bears. Hikers are highly encouraged to hike in groups, make noise when hiking, and have bear spray accessible and know how to use it. For more information about recreating in bear country, please visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/naturescience/bears.htm.


Jeff
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Glacier National Park Operations Adjust for Fall Season as Ticketed Entry Winds Down

As the autumn season approaches, operations in the park will start winding down. On September 6, 2021 the park’s ticketed entry pilot program will end as well as the park’s shuttle program. Park officials are expecting high visitation numbers in September. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and prepare for temporary traffic restrictions at the west entrance due to congestion and Highway 2 construction delays.

While the last day of ticketed entry is on September 6, construction will continue in and around the park. In addition, there may be temporary closures of the west entrance due to congestion. Visitors can check the Montana Department of Transportation website for updates on Highway 2 construction.

All real-time reporting systems such as campground availability, trail status, etc. are currently down on Glacier National Park’s website. This service is not expected to resume this season.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is scheduled to remain open from Avalanche Creek to Jackson Glacier Overlook until Sunday, October 17 at midnight, pending closures due to winter weather.

Construction will continue on Many Glacier Road causing 40-minute delays in both directions during the day and up to three hours at night. Starting September 19 at midnight, Many Glacier Road will be closed to the public for the year.

Camas Road is also under construction causing 30-minute delays in both directions during the day.

Operating hours for visitor services in Glacier National Park including the park’s shuttle, campgrounds, backcountry permits, boat inspections, and concession operations will also begin to adjust. More info here.


Jeff
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Northern section of Moose-Wilson Road temporarily closed due to bears

The northern section of the Moose-Wilson Road, between Murie Ranch Junction and Death Canyon Junction, is temporary closed to all visitors including motorists, cyclists, and hikers. The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve and Death Canyon Trailhead can be accessed from the south.

Black and grizzly bears are currently eating berries along the Moose-Wilson Road. The road is closed for human safety and the protection of the bears. Because of its narrow surface lined with dense vegetation, hillsides, and wetlands, the Moose-Wilson Road does not allow for a safe distance between people and bears. These factors create situations where both visitors and bears may be at risk for injury, making it necessary to close the road whenever bears are foraging along the roadway.

Park staff will monitor the situation and will reopen the road when conditions allow. The road could be temporarily closed through the weekend or longer.

Rangers remind visitors to “Be Bear Aware,” as these animals are active throughout park and are feeding on ripened berries. All visitors are required to maintain a safe distance of at least 100 yards from bears.


Jeff
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Teton Interagency Fire danger lowered to moderate

Teton Interagency Fire managers will lower the fire danger rating to moderate and lift stage 1 fire restrictions for Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and the National Elk Refuge beginning Thursday, August 26. It is important to note that despite the lowering of the rating, the chance for fires to start easily and spread quickly remains.

Due to the amount of rain or snow received over the majority of western Wyoming over the past several days, moisture levels in vegetation have dropped to non-critical levels. It is important to note that long range forecasts are still calling for a warming and drying trend into the fall. Fire managers will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions for the remainder of the fire season to see if adjustments need to be made.

Fire managers are advising all public land users and particularly campers and hunters, to use caution when building and maintaining campfires. While fires are now legal, it is still illegal to leave a fire unattended or abandoned. There have been more than 155 illegal and abandoned campfires in the Teton Interagency Fire area to date for this year. Unattended or abandoned campfires and warming fires can quickly escalate into wildfires. Campers and day users should have a shovel on hand and a water bucket ready for use. Soak, stir, feel, repeat. It is extremely important that all campfires are “dead out” and cold to the touch before leaving.

To report a fire or smoke in the immediate area, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630. Learn more about fire safety at TetonFires.com.


Jeff
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Bighorn sheep habitat improvement project planned on Wind River District

The first phase of a project designed to improve habitat for the Whiskey Mountain bighorn sheep herd on the Wind River Ranger District of the Shoshone National Forest will begin implementation starting the week of August 23, 2021.

Crews are contracted to begin cutting small diameter trees to prepare a fuel bed for a project known as the Torrey Rim Prescribed Fire project. This newly created fuel bed will take at least two years to dry out and be able to carry prescribed fire spread. The project, which is approximately 685 acres in size, is one of several prescribed fire projects designed to improve bighorn sheep migration corridors, create protected loafing habitats, and enhance winter range in the Glacier Addition of the Fitzpatrick Wilderness and adjacent Wyoming State Lands.

The Torrey Rim Project is the culmination of a collaborative public process between the US Forest Service, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, National Bighorn Sheep Center, and the University of Wyoming that has resulted in a new management plan for the Whiskey Mountain bighorn sheep herd. This project was identified as a high priority during the 2019 collaborative public process. When combined with ongoing research and conservation efforts, these management actions are intended to preserve the Whiskey Mountain bighorn sheep herd as a core value and icon of the Fitzpatrick Wilderness.


Jeff
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