Grizzly bear that attacked woman in Yellowstone euthanized.
Grizzly Bear Shot After Breaking into Montana Home
State officials in Montana took decisive action last weekend when a grizzly bear and its cub broke into a home in the Greater Yellowstone area. The homeowner’s terrifying encounter led to the bear being put down by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
According to a local NBC affiliate, the parent grizzly was euthanized that night after consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The bear had a history of violence, prompting officials to take action.
A History of Conflict
The 10-year-old female grizzly had been captured for research purposes in 2017. Genetic analysis and other identifying characteristics confirmed that the bear was involved in a fatal attack on a woman near West Yellowstone in July. The bear was also involved in an encounter in Idaho that injured a person near Henrys Lake State Park in 2020.
Although each encounter was ruled as a “defensive response,” the bear’s deadly attack on a hiker in Yellowstone was determined to not be predatory, according to the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.
The male cub involved in the incident was taken to a wildlife rehab center until it can be transferred to a zoo.
A Growing Problem
Grizzly bears have become a significant issue for residents in western states as their population exceeds recovery goals. Republicans are now pushing for the bear to be delisted from its endangered status, allowing local governments to manage wildlife responsibly.
In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem alone, the grizzly bear population has jumped from 136 in the year they were listed as endangered to an estimated 1,063 in 2021. This exceeds the threshold required to lose their endangered status.
The Debate Continues
While some argue for returning species management to the State of Wyoming, far-left policymakers are fighting to keep protections in place. Democrats have opposed delisting efforts on Capitol Hill.
Author and photographer Cat Urbigkit, who operates a sheep ranch in western Wyoming, believes that grizzlies should be managed rather than fully protected. She argues that it is naive to think otherwise.
Tristan Justice is the western correspondent for The Federalist and the author of Social Justice Redux, a conservative newsletter on culture, health, and wellness. He has also written for The Washington Examiner and The Daily Signal. His work has also been featured in Real Clear Politics and Fox News. Tristan graduated from George Washington University where he majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow him on Twitter at @JusticeTristan or contact him at [email protected]. Sign up for Tristan’s email newsletter here.
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