Two grizzly bears were removed last month due to cattle depredations in southwestern Montana.

One bear was killed in the Gravelly Mountains after several instances of sheep depredation. These conflicts happened despite multiple attempts to avoid them, including guard dogs, moving sheep to new areas, and hazing the bear.

The second bear was killed on private land in the Paradise Valley south of Livingston after chronic cattle depredations. The landowner moved cows twice, but conflicts continued.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services removed both bears on Aug. 21 in consultation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Specialists with FWP and Wildlife Services work to help landowners, producers and communities avoid bear conflicts. Promptly reporting bear conflicts can make a difference for the health of the bear and the safety of communities. Some corrective management efforts, when applied early, can be effective in discouraging bears from being close to humans and livestock and reduce future conflicts.

To report bear conflicts, contact your local bear specialist at the phone number listed on FWP’s website here.

For more information on living, working and recreating in Montana’s bear country, click here.