The state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is investigating the death of a male grizzly bear near the railroad tracks west of Coram.
BNSF Railway spokesman Gus Melonas says the dead bear was discovered by a BSNF crew on a rail maintenance vehicle at about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Melonas says it appears the bear was struck by a train. BNSF and Amtrak crews are being questioned to determine whose train may have struck the bear.
It was the first bear morality of the year on BNSF tracks. Melonas says there were none last year.
Melonas noted there was no spilled grain in the area. Past bear deaths on the tracks have involved bruins attracted to grain spilled from freight cars.