Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting donations of fruit at the Kalispell office the week of Sept. 8 to help reduce bear attractants while also supporting the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone.
The collection effort serves a dual purpose: reducing the availability of a popular food attractant that can lead bears into residential areas in fall and supporting the center in West Yellowstone, which houses bears that can no longer live in the wild after learning to find food in recreational or residential areas and becoming dangerously comfortable around people.
Residents are invited to drop off fruit from their properties at the FWP office at 490 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell. Donations will be accepted Monday through Friday, Sept. 8-12, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Fruit trees are a big attractant for bears in residential areas during the fall,” said FWP Bear Management Specialist Justine Vallieres. “By donating fruit, landowners can help keep bears out of trouble and support the Discovery Center.”
