Wildlife officials are investigating the death of another grizzly bear in Northwest Montana.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesperson John Fraley said a dead male grizzly bear was discovered at the Yaak Falls Campground near Troy on May 24. FWP game wardens and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating the death. Fraley was unable to provide further details.
The campground is 16 miles northwest of Troy on the Yaak Highway. The campground has seven sites and is managed from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but is available all year to visitors.
The incident is the second reported death of a grizzly in the past week and third this month. Wildlife officials are investigating the shooting of a female grizzly near Essex. The bear’s carcass was recovered May 20. A hunter from Wisconsin was cited for mistakenly shooting a grizzly near Spotted Bear on May 16.
Grizzlies are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
The death in the Yaak is particularly significant due to the small grizzly population in the surrounding regional ecosystem. There are an estimated 50 grizzlies in the remote 3,750-square-mile area in the mountains above Eureka, Libby, Trout Creek, Yaak and Troy, known as the Cabinet-Yaak ecosytem.
Unlawfully killing a grizzly bear carries a potential penalty of six months in jail and a $25,000 fine.
Anyone with possible information about the bears’ deaths is encouraged to call 1-800-TIP MONT. Callers do not have to identify themselves and a reward of up to $2,000 may be available for information leading to a conviction.