Captive grizzly kills man at wildlife casting agency

BOZEMAN – A 24-year-old man was mauled to death while cleaning a grizzly bear enclosure at a wildlife casting agency in southwestern Montana.

Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin said the man was mauled by one or both of the captive-bred grizzly bears Sunday morning at the Animals of Montana facility north of Bozeman.

The victim’s name hasn’t been released, but officials said he’s originally from Pennsylvania.

Chuck Watson, attorney for Animals of Montana’s owner, Troy Hyde, said the grizzly bear had to be put down in order to recover the victim.

Animals of Montana provides captive-bred animals for photography shoots and motion pictures, ranging from African lions and minks to badgers and bobcats.

The death is being investigated by the sheriff’s office and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens.