Victim of bear attack near West Glacier has been identified

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

WEST GLACIER - Montana

 Rhode Island, Connecticut and Mass. residents please remember that Bears are Wild Animals, not a novelty.
          
Wildlife officials and law enforcement officers are continuing to search for a bear or bears that attacked and killed a 38 year old West Glacier resident on his bicycle on Wednesday near the town of West Glacier.
The attack on the pair of bicyclists took place about a mile up the trail leading to Half Moon Lake, and according to Flathead County Undersheriff Dave Lieb, it was a very sudden attack.

The victim has been identified at Brad Treat of West Glacier, a career law enforcement officer with the Flathead National Forest.
It appears that Treat and his companion surprised the bear on the trail which may have led to the attack.

A press release from Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry says that Treat was "taken off his bike" by the bear, and was pronounced dead on the scene. The second rider was able to escape the area to get help and was not injured or involved in the attack.
Authorities are asking visitors and area residents to stay out of the area until the bear in question is captured.
Initially, authorities believed it was a grizzly bear that attacked, but now are not certain whether it was a grizzly or a black bear.

Undersheriff Lieb said, "At this point and time the Forest Service is closing the entire area, from Desert Mountain to Coram, over to West Glacier, so that area is closed until further notice."
The incident is being investigated by the Wildlife Human Attack Response Team of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks; the U.S Forest Service; and the Flathead County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Chuck curry says that Treat was an integral member of law enforcement and a friend to all.
He says the department's thoughts and prayers are with his family tonight.