Wildlife officers are investigating the shooting death of a grizzly bear west of Whitefish.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are seeking information on the death of a boar grizzly bear found in the Stillwater River downstream of the Farm to Market Road Bridge, west of Whitefish.
Officials retrieved the carcass from the river on Sunday, May 28. Investigators believe that the grizzly bear carcass was dumped from the Farm to Market Road Bridge into the Stillwater River sometime between May 25 and May 28.
Anyone with possible information on this case, or anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area of the Farm to Market Road Bridge between May 25 and May 28, is asked to call the FWS at 406-329-3000 or 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.
Grizzlies are protected under the Endangered Species Act as threatened species. Illegally killing a grizzly carries a potential penalty of six months in jail and a $25,000 fine.
Correction: The FWS announcement erroneously stated the body was found in the Clearwater River. It was found in the Stillwater.