On Jan. 17, 2023, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission reported that juvenile grizzly bears tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza virus last fall. The three bears, one near Augusta, one near Dupuyer, and another near Kalispell, were observed to be in poor condition and exhibited disorientation and partial blindness, among other neurological issues. They were euthanized due to their sickness and poor condition.

These were the first documented cases of HPAI in grizzly bears. FWP officials suspected these mammals probably get the virus from consuming infected birds. A fox and a skunk in Montana also tested positive for HPAI last year, and the virus has been found in raccoons, black bears and even a coyote in other states and countries.