Black bear killed in Glacier National Park hazing effort

WEST GLACIER, Mont. – Glacier National Park rangers trying to haze a black bear away from a campground had to euthanize the bruin after a rubber bullet pierced its abdomen.

The park hazes dozens of bears away from visitor areas each year to prevent them from getting used to people and their food.

Rangers first tried yelling at the bear to get it to leave the Many Glacier Campground Monday afternoon before firing the rubber bullet. Rangers and wildlife biologists determined the bear was mortally wounded and used a shotgun to kill the bear.

Park officials say hazing deaths remain uncommon. In the last 15 years, the park estimates four bears have died as a result of hazing efforts. The park will evaluate the incident to see if can improve its hazing program.