Groundbreaking grizzlies make it to Missouri

Two young grizzly bears spotted Tuesday evening near Floweree between Great Falls and Fort Benton probably are the first grizzlies in several decades to make it to the Missouri River, where the bears historically lived, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Mike Martin, a FWP game warden captain, said the bears haven't attacked any livestock or caused other problems. "But we want people out recreating or living in the area to be observant," he said. As of Wednesday evening, the bears still were in the area, according to authorities. Mike Madel, a FWP grizzly bear management specialist, said the agency is monitoring the bears' movements but will not take any action unless the bears kill livestock. "They are in a relatively remote stretch of the Missouri between Great Falls and Fort Benton," he said. "It's possible they swim the river and get into the Highwood Mountains." It also is possible the grizzlies could reach the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, which is located on the Missouri River in northcentral Montana...more