Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, and Tom Tidwell, Director of the U.S. Forest Service, Enforcement Division, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, sadly report the death of Ranger Brad Treat.
Ranger Treat, 38, and a relative of Ranger Treat’s were traveling down a forest service trail in the FlatHead National Forest near Glacier National Park when they suddenly came upon a grizzly bear and her cubs. Ranger Treat was knocked off his mountain bike by the bear and savagely attacked. Ranger Treat’s relative escaped injury and fled to obtain assistance.
Ranger Treat was found on the forest trail about a mile from his residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Sheriff Chuck Curry of the Flathead County Sheriff Department stated that a search for the bear has commenced and will continue until it is located. Normally a bear that attacks humans and exhibits predator behavior is usually euthanized.
The Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks Division Human Attack Response Team in investigating the incident with the assistance of the Flathead County Sheriff Department and the U.S. Forest Service.
Ranger Treat was assigned to the Hungry Horse District of the FlatHead National Forest in Glacier National Park. He is survived by his wife and children.
U.S. Forest Service Ranger Brad Treat-gone, but never forgotten. EOW: Wednesday, June 29, 2016.
Additional details can be found here:
http://flatheadbeacon.com/2016/06/29/grizzly-bear-kills-person-near-west-glacier/
http://www.abcfoxmontana.com/story/32350851/remembering-officer-brad-treat
http://www.theolympian.com/news/state/washington/article87080737.html
http://www.ktvh.com/2016/06/officials-continue-to-investigate-bear-attack-outside-glacier/