Why a Dumpster-Destroying Grizzly Was Euthanized in Yellowstone

Four hundred pounds of hungry, fearless and cranky was likely not going to play nice with others.

Yellowstone National Park officials tell us that staff trapped and killed an 11-year-old male grizzly bear on May 14, after the bear repeatedly sought out human food sources in developed areas of the park. During a 6-week spree, the 400-pound grizzly bear overturned several large, bear-resistant dumpsters and gained access to human food and trash near Old Faithful, the Nez Perce Picnic Area, and the Midway Geyser Basin parking lot.

DUMPSTER DUMPING STRATEGY

YNP authorities say the bear actually learned a strategy for flipping over 800-pound dumpsters. In addition, he also uprooted smaller bear-resistant trash cans from their concrete bases to gain access to human food and garbage. As a result, the bear became increasingly food-conditioned and posed a risk to public safety in one of the busiest areas of the park. The decision to kill the bear was made to ensure public safety and reduce the chances of other bears becoming habituated to human food.

In assessing the decision to euthanize, Yellowstone Bear Management Biologist Kerry Gunther was quoted as saying, “It’s unfortunate that this bear began regularly seeking out garbage and was able to defeat the park’s bear-resistant infrastructure. We go to great lengths to protect bears and prevent them from becoming conditioned to human food.

"But occasionally, a bear outsmarts us or overcomes our defenses."

The park provides bear-resistant food storage lockers in all campgrounds, food storage devices in all backcountry campsites, and bear-resistant garbage cans and dumpsters.

Yellowstone reminds all visitors that utilizing these bear safety measures remain crucial in ensuring public safety and preventing wildlife from developing dangerous habits.