GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK — A black bear was euthanized by Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) staff on Friday following a string of incidents in the Delta Lake area, according to a Tuesday announcement by the park.
GTNP noted that the decision was made “after a concerning pattern of behavior, from both the bear and visitors,” intensified.
“Earlier this year, park staff received several reports of a black bear approaching visitors near Delta Lake,” GTNP’s statement reads. “At the time, there was not enough information to determine whether the behavior represented an emerging food-conditioning issue or an isolated occurrence. That changed last week. The bear received multiple human food rewards and repeatedly approached people. Park staff increased monitoring in the area and found the bear unusually difficult to haze away, its behavior consistent with conditioning to human foods.”
Ultimately, staff concluded that the repeated food rewards, the bear’s comfort with approaching humans, and displays of food-conditioned behavior posed too much of a safety risk. The bear was immobilized using a dart before being euthanized on site. Its body was flown out of the area Saturday morning.
“We need to be clear — this bear was lethally removed because of poor decisions made by park visitors,” GTNP stated. “It is everyone’s responsibility to help keep bears wild: Never leave food unattended, even for a moment. Gather all your belongings, especially your food, if a bear approaches. If you have time to grab your phone, you have time to grab your food.”
GTNP emphasized how human food access can alter bear behavior and in turn endanger the bear, park visitors and staff.
