Montana Wildlife Officials Euthanize 14 Black Bears Near Bozeman Due to Illegal Feeding

Butte Bozeman, MT, September 29, 2026 — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) officials have euthanized 14 black bears in the vicinity of Bozeman. The decision was made after the bears displayed significant food conditioning and habituation to human presence.

According to FWP, the animals became accustomed to receiving food from humans, a situation that unfortunately led to their habituation. This behavior poses a risk to public safety and the bears themselves, often resulting in actions taken by wildlife management agencies to mitigate future conflicts.

The specific circumstances leading to the bears’ food conditioning and subsequent euthanasia are currently under investigation. The identity of those responsible for the illegal feeding, which is cited as the cause of the bears’ behavior, has not been publicly disclosed.

FWP has stated that penalties for violating regulations against feeding bears can be severe. These penalties may include financial fines and potential jail time for individuals found to be in violation of wildlife feeding laws. The exact penalties depend on the specifics of the violation and applicable state statutes.

The agency has reiterated its commitment to managing wildlife populations while prioritizing public safety and the well-being of animals. Officials emphasize the importance of proper food storage and avoiding direct or indirect feeding of wildlife to prevent habituation and potential negative outcomes for both humans and animals.

Information regarding the timeline of the bears’ behavior, the specific locations where they were found, and the details of the ongoing investigation were not immediately available.

Story summarized from the original created by Cassidy Powers on www.kxlf.com, see more information here.