Visitors Reminded to Follow Bear-Safety Protocols
 
(NPS)
(NPS)
loading...

WEST GLACIER, MONT. –The St. Mary Campground, located on the east side of the park, is currently available to hard-sided camping only. The campground has seen a recent increase of bear activity, as they feed on berries in the area, creating a high potential for negative human/bear interactions. No incidents between humans and bears have been reported in the St. Mary Campground to date.

 
RVs, motorhomes, trailers, and hard-sided pop-ups are allowed in St. Mary Campground. Camper vehicles such as VW buses and pickup trucks with small canvas pop-ups are allowed as long as the canvas is not exposed.
 
Park rangers and wildlife managers are initiating some aversive conditioning, or negative reinforcement, to attempt to modify bear behavior near the campground. This conditioning will be on-going in the area of the campground.  It is unknown when hard-sided camping limitation will be lifted in the campground.  
 
Glacier National Park is home to black and grizzly bears. Campers are reminded to keep campground and developed areas clean and free of food and trash. Regulations require that all edibles, food containers, and cookware be stored in a hard-sided vehicle or food locker when not in use, day or night.  Place all trash in bear-proof containers. All bear sightings should be reported to a park ranger as soon as possible.   
 
For more information about camping or hiking in bear country while recreating in Glacier National Park, visithttp://www.nps.gov/glac/naturescience/bears.htm.  For updated information about campgrounds and campground status, please visit http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/cgstatus/cgstatus.cfm or contact the park at 406-888-7800.

More From KSEN AM 1150