A 3-year-old girl was attacked by a black bear inside a tent at a private campground south of Red Lodge, Montana, late Sunday night, prompting an evacuation and the bear’s capture and euthanization.

The child, who was subsequently transported to a hospital in Billings, is being treated for her injuries. Officials attribute the bear's aggressive behavior to unsecured items such as food and garbage found at the campsite, which likely attracted and conditioned the bear to human presence. The campground was evacuated for safety, and the bear, which had no prior history of conflicts, was euthanized the following day.

The incident took place around 10 p.m. on Sunday night inside a tent where the family was staying. The private campground is a popular spot for campers and sits south of Red Lodge, Montana. The unprovoked attack has raised concerns about the safety protocols and guidelines followed at private campsites.

The young girl was quickly transported to a hospital in Billings, where she is receiving medical care for her injuries. Authorities have not disclosed specific details about the severity of her injuries but confirmed that she is in stable condition. Medical professionals are monitoring her recovery closely as she undergoes treatment.

Following the incident, officials conducted an immediate inspection of the campsite and discovered several unsecured items, including food and garbage. These items likely contributed to attracting the black bear to the campsite. In light of the findings, authorities stressed the importance of properly securing food and waste to prevent similar occurrences.

The black bear was captured the following day and euthanized after officials determined that it had become food-conditioned and human-habituated. This behavior often develops when bears have easy access to human food sources, making them more likely to approach humans and potentially act aggressively.

The bear involved in the attack did not have a prior history of conflicts, which suggests that the availability of unsecured attractants played a significant role in the incident. Wildlife experts emphasize that bears are generally not aggressive towards humans unless they feel threatened or are lured by food.

The campground was promptly evacuated after the attack to ensure the safety of other campers. Authorities also took the opportunity to remind campers to adhere to guidelines for food storage and waste disposal while in bear country. Doing so minimizes the potential for bear encounters and helps maintain a safer environment for both humans and wildlife.

Local wildlife officials and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks are investigating the incident further to understand how to better prevent such occurrences in the future. They are also considering implementing more rigorous checks and possibly better education for campers on the importance of securing attractants.

This incident serves as a crucial reminder of the shared responsibility campers have in maintaining the safety of natural habitats. Properly securing food and waste can significantly reduce human-bear conflicts and ensure a safer experience for all visitors to the area.

As part of their response, officials might also look into stricter enforcement measures at private campgrounds to ensure compliance with wildlife safety regulations. Increasing awareness and adherence to these measures is key to preventing future incidents and safeguarding both humans and wildlife.