18 Grizzly Bears Killed in Human Encounters

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — State and federal experts say 18 grizzly bears have been killed in encounters with humans in north-central Montana this year, but none had to be destroyed by wardens because they became troublesome.

The Missoulian reported Friday (http://tinyurl.com/qxzr74k) the statistics were disclosed this week by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, a group that oversees the recovery of the threatened species.

The group includes representatives of the Idaho, Montana and Wyoming state governments and the U.S. Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service.

The statistics cover a 9,600-square-mile area along the Continental Divide in Montana.

Bears died in encounters with hunters, landowners, cars or other situations.

From 2000 to 2012, the leading cause of grizzly bear deaths was destruction by game wardens because the bears' behavior became a problem.