Three grizzly bear cubs were orphaned after a hiker in Pondera County, Montana, shot their mother. According to the Great Falls Tribune, the hiker got between the mother and her cubs, causing the bear to attack. After being bitten on the thigh, the hiker shot the sow, causing injuries, but not her death.
A news release from Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials confirms that the bear acted out because of her perceived threat from the hiker:
“the bear’s behavior indicated it attacked to protect her cub from a perceived threat posed by the hiker.”
Wildlife officials proceeded to track the wounded bear down and she was killed. According to the Billings Gazette, a family spotted the orphaned bear cubs three days later and managed to capture them. Fish and Wildlife officials responded to pick up the bear cubs and they were taken to a wildlife center for care.
Officials are currently searching for an accredited Association of Zoos and Aquariums facility to turn the cubs over to because grizzly bear cubs cannot be released back into the wild.
(Image via Pixabay)
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