Grizzly bear captured, relocated after killing 2 alpacas

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – A 270-pound grizzly bear was captured and relocated after killing two alpacas on a ranch just north of Simms.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks grizzly bear management specialist Mike Madel said a llama that was in the pen with the alpacas on Saturday escaped by jumping the fence.

The Great Falls Tribune reported the young male grizzly bear was captured Sunday, fitted with a radio collar and moved 82 air miles away to the Puzzle Creek area in the Flathead National Forest.

The grizzly was the fourth relocated by state wildlife officials on the Marias, Teton and Sun Rivers this spring.

A female relocated for killing chickens on a ranch near Choteau has already returned to the area. Madel said an electric fence was installed around the chicken coop and the bear moved on.