A 72-year-old man shot and killed a grizzly bear in Montana on Friday after it attacked him. He has since been hospitalized.
According to a statement from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the man was apparently out picking blueberries when the confrontation occurred.
He used a handgun to kill the bear in what authorities described as a “surprise defensive encounter.” The incident happened about 2 miles north of Columbia Falls in Flathead County.
Montana authorities said an adult female grizzly bear was killed and they were investigating whether any cubs were present.
Earlier in the day, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks personnel killed another grizzly bear after receiving a report that it had broken into a home in Maiden Basin, according to a separate statement from the agency.
Authorities said the bear had been involved in other recent incidents, including burglaries and food thefts in the Gardiner area, which is one of the entrances to Yellowstone National Park. No injuries have been reported.
