Recent drought conditions have severely impacted the natural food sources for bears, prompting them to venture nearer to human environments.

A notable example occurred last week when wildlife officials in Montana had to euthanize 14 black bears on a particular property. The encounter also involved a cub, which has since been relocated in the hope of finding placement in a zoo, according to an official statement.

“These bears were unafraid of humans and stopped relying on natural foods,”

said Captain Josh Leonard, a Montana game warden.

He expressed regret over the necessity of euthanizing the bears, highlighting the challenges posed by their adaptation to human environs.