The first grizzly bear caught in a study of the grizzly population in extreme northwestern Montana was killed and partially eaten by another grizzly before researchers could release it.
Mike Aderhold, regional information officer for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, said trappers found the remains of the 3-year-old, 175-pound female Thursday, still in a snare in the Burnt Creek area six miles southwest of Yaak.The trappers also found the tracks of a much larger grizzly.
"The pads of the larger bear measured 6 1/2 inches across, placing it in the 350-pound range," Aderhold said.
He said it was unusual for a grizzly to eat one of its own kind.
Trapping began June 14 in the project, which is directed by Wayne Kasworm of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It seeks to determine grizzly bear populations and movements in the Yaak River drainage of the Cabinet Mountains. A similar state project is under way along the South Fork of the Flathead River south of Glacier National Park.
Researchers are shaking their heads over a 5-year-old male grizzly that was snared and radio-collared in the South Fork study in mid-June. Within two weeks after it was released, Aderhold said, it worked its way 45 miles to a huge corn spill at the southern tip of Glacier.
About 10 million pounds of corn - 104 carloads - were spilled in three Burlington Northern train derailments last winter. The odor of the grain has been attracting bears and other animals, but Aderhold said it seems unlikely that the bear was attracted by the odor from 45 miles away.
"It's hard to believe the odor could carry that far," he said. "But that bear traveled a great distance in a short period of time."
Biologists speculate that the bear moved north in its natural range, then picked up on the grain odor as it got closer.
The bear is one of five new grizzlies snared and radio collared this year, the second year of the project.
Aderhold said more than 90 percent of the grain has been cleaned up, but 100 percent cleanup is virtually impossibile. Aderhold said no grain will be buried.
"We will let the rodents and birds and bears police it."