EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Wildlife officials have euthanized a grizzly bear after repeated incidents of the animal accessing unsecured human food and garbage, despite extensive efforts to deter it and protect both the bear and the public.
The bear had been frequenting residential areas where it accessed trash, pet food, and other attractants. In response, state and federal wildlife staff employed non-lethal deterrents, such as hazing, and launched an outreach campaign urging residents to secure garbage and food sources.
Despite these efforts, the bear continued to return to populated areas, demonstrating behavior that posed a significant threat to human safety. The decision to euthanize the bear was made in accordance with established wildlife management protocols after determining that the animal had become dangerously food-conditioned and habituated to people.
With other bears in the base vicinity, this is part of an ongoing effort with wildlife officials to keep wildlife and base residents safe.
“This was not a decision we took lightly,” said Col. Paul P. Townsend, 354th Fighter Wing commander. “Our priority is always to keep both people and wildlife safe, and we exhausted every reasonable option before coming to this outcome. This bear was no longer behaving naturally—it had come to associate humans with food, which made it unpredictable and dangerous. It's heartbreaking because this situation was preventable. The most effective way to protect bears is by ensuring they never get access to human food in the first place.”
Residents are reminded that their actions directly affect wildlife behavior and safety. Properly storing trash and removing attractants is critical in Alaska.
For more information on living responsibly around bears, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game at www.adfg.alaska.gov. For more information on this incident contact the 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at (907) 377-2116 or via email at 354fw.pa.publicaffairs@us.af.mil.
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