Securing attractants can reduce conflicts with wildlife

Many conflicts with wildlife stem from unsecured garbage, food and other attractants in human-occupied areas.

Wildlife commonly travel through urban areas in southwestern Montana. Wildlife, including bears, that become conditioned to seeking and obtaining food from humans quickly lose their wariness of humans and their interest in foraging for natural food items. This happens when they find human sources of food like garbage, bird feeders, pet food and other attractants stored in unsecured places around homes and neighborhoods.

Most recently, a black bear and two cubs were feeding on garbage i...