Mountain lions and grizzly bears have become frequent visitors to the north side of Whitefish, according to the Whitefish Police Department and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials.
Numerous residents have reported sightings of six or seven mountain lions in the last few weeks, while FWP captured and killed a 4-year-old male grizzly north of Whitefish.
“It’s just part of living in Northwest Montana,” Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial said.
Dial said some of the wild cats have been spotted in the area along Colorado Avenue and Crestwood Drive and one resident reported a deer had been killed in their front yard. He said the appearance of wild animals in the area is normal for a town so close to the mountains but he encouraged people to report any sightings and to be careful.
“If you’ve got kids, be careful,” Dial said.
Meanwhile, a 387-pound male grizzly bear was captured and killed last week by FWP near Haskill Basin, according to grizzly bear specialist Tim Manley. He said the young bear had repeatedly broken into chicken coops, campers, trash cans and a garage. The bear was originally caught in late August and moved north but returned last week.
“He worked his way back down and started going to the same places, so that’s when we decided to not give him a second chance,” Manley said.
Manley encouraged people to not leave dog and cat food out because it could attract a bear. He also echoed Dial’s advice to be diligent and aware. Manley added it isn’t uncommon for a bear to return to an area after it has been captured and moved, especially younger bears that are looking for food and a home.
Just over the state border in Idaho a hunter was killed Sept. 16 by a grizzly bear, according to an Associated Press report.