A Montana hunter last week shot and killed a grizzly bear during a surprise close encounter in the Madison Range.
The hunter was targeting black bears in rugged terrain when the grizzly bear charged, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The hunter, who was not injured, killed the bear with a pistol.
Grizzly bears are under state and federal protection and the case is under investigation.
The hunter notified authorities on the same day, FWP stated in a news release, claiming that he shot the grizzly bear in self-defense.
ALSO: Rare footage shows massive python slithering through Kenya stream
The grizzly bear was a 15-year-old female known to researchers, with no history of human conflict. She did not appear to be with cubs, according to the hunter.
The bear died outside the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem but inside the Demographic Monitoring Area for the Yellowstone grizzly bear population.
–Generic grizzly bear image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas