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Grizzlies Near Red Lodge Euthanized for Killing Calves

The bears were taken to the state wildlife lab in Bozeman, where they were euthanized on Friday

By Dillon Tabish

BILLINGS — Two adult male grizzly bears have been euthanized for killing calves on a private ranch southeast of Red Lodge.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologist Shawn Stewart tells The Billings Gazette that depredation by the bears was first reported about a week ago. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services trappers and state biologists set traps for the bears. They were captured Thursday night near the kill sites.

The bears were taken to the state wildlife lab in Bozeman, where they were euthanized on Friday.

Wildlife officials often are reluctant to relocate male adult grizzly bears that have killed cattle because of their potential to continue depredation.