WEST GLACIER – A Glacier National Park black bear was killed after an explosive device intended to scare it instead killed the animal.
The National Park Service says that the black bear was being hazed May 22 in St. Mary area of the park to prevent it from becoming habituated to people. Rangers were using cracker shells fired from a shotgun to scare the animal.
The bear was found dead the following day, and it was determined that the a cracker shell entered the bear’s body before exploding.
The park says it will review the incident and come up with recommendations for improving strategies and tactics in such situations.