Feds seek info on 2 dead Montana grizzlies
Daily Inter Lake | Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 4 years, 6 months AGO
FILE - This July 6, 2011 file photo shows a grizzly bear roaming near Beaver Lake in Yellowstone National Park, Wyo. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart, File)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is providing rewards for information related to two dead grizzly bears, which are federally protected animals.
According to information from the Service, it is investigating the illegal killing of a sow grizzly bear in northern Montana. The bear, collared by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, was last known to be alive on May 4.
Law enforcement agents believe the bear was killed on or around May 4 near Paisley Road on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
The GPS collar on the bear was found to have been physically cut from the carcass of the bear, shortly after the collar had registered a mortality signal. GPS coordinates uploaded from the device show that the collar had been moved away from the site of the kill and dumped in a separate location. The GPS collar has since been retrieved by the Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Department.
The Service is offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 for information contributing significantly to and furthering the investigation into the death of this grizzly bear.
In a separate case, the Service is seeking information on the illegal removal of claws from a grizzly bear struck and killed by a vehicle on U.S. 2 southwest of East Glacier Park Village, on Forest Service land. The bear was likely struck by a vehicle Sept. 13. Inspection of the carcass by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks showed that some of the claws had been removed.
The Service is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information contributing significantly to and furthering the investigation into the illegal removal and possession of parts and/or products from this grizzly bear.
For anyone with information about the killing of the grizzly bear, call the Service’s Special Agent at 406-761-2286 or email lawenforcement@fws.gov. Members of the public who report information can remain anonymous.
The Service will apply applicable legal protections to hold accountable anyone who knowingly harasses, harms or feeds grizzly bears. Grizzly bears are currently protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.