A black bear at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming was euthanized on Friday after exhibiting what officials described as a “concerning pattern of behavior.” The National Park Service (NPS) announced the decision on Tuesday, citing safety concerns related to the bear’s repeated acceptance of food from park visitors.

Officials stated that the bear, which had become habituated to receiving food from people, posed an unacceptable risk to public safety. This led it to approach hikers and tourists near Delta Lake, a popular turquoise-colored body of water located at the base of the park’s mountain peaks. Increasing visitor numbers at Delta Lake over recent months have contributed to more frequent human-wildlife interactions in the area.

Earlier this year, Grand Teton staff received reports of a black bear approaching visitors near Delta Lake. However, at the time, park employees were unable to determine if the incidents reflected a developing pattern of the animal being conditioned to human food or isolated occurrences. According to the NPS, that assessment changed last week, prompting the decision to euthanize the bear.

The National Park Service emphasized that the removal was a direct consequence of visitors’ unsafe behavior in feeding the bear, which undermined the park’s efforts to maintain natural wildlife patterns and public safety. Authorities routinely warn that feeding wildlife can alter animal behavior, increasing the risks of dangerous encounters.

Grand Teton is one of the nation’s most visited national parks, known for its rugged mountain landscapes and abundant wildlife. Officials continue to urge visitors to observe regulations designed to protect both people and animals, including refraining from feeding wildlife and maintaining safe distances.