MISSOULA, Mont. — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks responded to a call of a black bear in a home in the Lincolnwood subdivision of Missoula early Thursday morning, as reported by NBC Montana.
FWP bear manager James Jonkel said the homeowners woke up to the bear’s mess and shooed the bear out of the home and up a tree.
Since the female bear had previously broken into three other homes, FWP chose to put the bear down to prevent further break-ins.
FWP left the home around 8 a.m.
Jonkel said the homeowners believe the bear spent an estimated three to four hours in the home, taking food outside to eat it and then wandering back in for more.
Jonkel said although more bears are breaking into homes, it’s a good sign that people are locking up their garbage, taking down bird feeders and removing freezers from the back porch — all bear attractants.
He reminds residents who live close to the urban interfaces and drainages, including the base of Mount Sentinel, Pattee Canyon, the Rattlesnake and more, they are more prone to bear break-ins.
To learn more about recent bear sightings in Missoula, visit missoulabears.org.
