HELENA – The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said a young black bear escaped from the Montana Wildlife Rehab facility late Tuesday or early Wednesday morning.
According to the agency, the female black bear was first noticed missing during a routine check on Wednesday morning. It escaped through an opening in a chainlink fence.
The dark brown bear is 3 to 4 years old and weighs around 60 pounds. It has a white ear tag with the number 3135.
Officials and local law enforcement officers have searched the immediate area, including Spring Meadow Lake State Park and Kessler Elementary School. School officials have been notified.
FWP says people should expect the bear to be “wild and skittish.”
The bear was brought to Montana Wild in February after being found emaciated with more than 200 porcupine quills in its mouth.
In a news release, FWP says the animal was doing well and was scheduled to be released into the wild this spring.
