Cyclist Killed in Grizzly Bear Attack

Cyclist Killed in Grizzly Bear Attack
“Grizzly bear tracks have now been confirmed in several parts of the state, and we know some radio-collared bears are awake and moving away from their dens. Make sure you are bear aware at home and while working or playing in bear country,” said the FWP. (Photo: FWP)

One person was killed in a grizzly bear attack near Ovando, Montana, east of Missoula earlier this month. According to law enforcement with the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, or FWP Human Attack Response Team, the person was killed in the early hours last Tuesday morning.

The identity of the victim remains unconfirmed and unreleased. Authorities say the person was traveling with a larger group of cyclists and was camping for the night.

The Response Team and representatives from the Powell County Sheriff’s Office are still investigating the incident. The FWP reports that grizzly bears are common in the Blackfoot Valley, where Ovando is located.

In addition, game wardens and parks department staff are on the lookout for the bear suspected in the fatal attack. According to FWP spokesman Greg Lemon, there’s evidence that the bear was in the area the night before.

“We had some video camera footage from a local business in town of a grizzly bear walking through town on Monday night, also there was a grizzly bear that got into a chicken coop Monday night and then this incident, so we believe it’s all the same grizzly bear.”

But the investigators say they have not seen any signs of the bear in the area since the attack. The nearby town of Ovando was blocked to traffic and shut down temporarily following the attack.

Authorities say they will release more information when it becomes available.

See Also: Stopping A Bear Attack is More Difficult Than You Think

The FWP is asking residents and visitors to be careful this year around bears. Due to recent drought conditions, bear are seeking out alternate food sources and encroaching on human habitations.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials trapped and euthanized a young female black just two weeks ago after it broke into a home looking for food.

“FWP bear specialists expect the lack of spring moisture could affect berry crops, leading both black and grizzly bears to seek out easy food sources near homes,” said the FWP. “If those bears find nothing to eat around homes and businesses, they will move elsewhere.”

UPDATE:

The victim has been identified as Leah Lokan, 65, of Chico, California. Authorities also believe they terminated the bear responsible, a 400-pound boar. But DNA tests are being conducted to confirm the assumption.

Cyclist Killed in Grizzly Bear Attack
Leah Lokan was an accomplished cyclist. (Photo: U.S. Sun/Facebook)

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  • James July 27, 2021, 12:26 pm

    People have to be more aware of their surrounding. Even when they see a bear, of any type, they think if they leave it alone it won’t bother them. Not true. Just as with lions, they are a top predator.
    Many times these animal worshipping cults will show “staged” videos of their members petting tame or drugged bears and wolves saying they are harmless to humans. What nonsense. These are creatures that eat other animals.
    In National Forests, one never knows what carnivore will be waiting for it’s next meal.
    There are black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, wild hogs, mountain lions pythons and possibly even tigers. tigers you ask? Yes, I’ve read several articles on tigers that are kept as “pets”. The article said the reporter looked into buying one online and found out that there are few or no restrictions on buying and even owning one. Prices range from “free” to $300, 500 to $2,000 for one. Many people are happy to give them away as they need to eat 15 to 20 pounds of food a day! It’s been reported that some stupid owners took their tiger”s to the forests and set them loose- not wanting to turn them over to Fish & Game Department or zoos and having to pay fines or penalties. Crazy.
    Some people have reported hearing lions roaring in national forests. There are two “cat’ rescue sanctuary in the USA, one in Florida and the other in Colorado where they have hundreds of tigers and lions.
    There are also hyena and elephant sanctuaries in the USA.
    So if traveling or hunting in national forests always carry protection with you. You’ll never know what “critter” is hiding and waiting.
    The animal worshipping cults want grizzly bears in all the Rocky Mountain states.
    They want wolves in all the 48 states. Theyy also want to bring in jaguars and release them in the Rocky Mountains.

    Always support and protect your right to keep and own all types of firearms and accessories. Don’t allow the power crazed politicians and China to restrict and ban firearms in America.
    Don’t let the hunting banning groups ban all hunting, fishing and trapping in America.
    Don’t forget that China is buying up USA farmland and ranches.

  • Lee Phelps July 27, 2021, 11:25 am

    Apparently, the cyclists were not bear savvy, including having poor camp hygiene and food in their tents…. It isn’t always the fault of the bear to do what they have been inadvertantly trained to do… Sad loss of life nonetheless.

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