That grizzly can swim.
A grizzly bear that swam back and forth on Swan Lake to Crane Mountain, near Flathead Lake, has been captured. The two-and-half-year-old male grizzly was captured June 22 on private land on Crane Mountain. The bear had been frequenting residences near Swan Lake for the past few weeks, and swimming the lake to reach Woods Bay and Crane Mountain near Flathead Lake, according to Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.
According to FWP grizzly management special Tim Manley, because of the amount of human interaction it displayed, the young grizzly is being transported to the FWP Wildlife Center in Helena. Region One Wildlife Manager Jim Williams said the FWP Foundation is working with a zoo in Colorado to accept the bear.
The 200-pound grizzly was originally caught near Swan Lake just before Memorial Day weekend, and relocated to Sullivan Creek along Hungry Horse Reservoir in the South Fork of the Flathead. Four days later the grizzly returned to the Swan Lake area. The bear entered garages and a porch, and ate dog food and garbage.
According to FWP, the grizzly was not released back into the wild this time because of its level of food conditioning and the fact that it was entering structures and causing property damage. The interagency Grizzly Bear Committee has approved this decision.
The grizzly’s sibling, which had been caught in May also, is not causing conflicts. It was released in the Hall Creek area near Swan Lake.