GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) -- State and federal wildlife officials have decided to relocate a female grizzly bear that was responsible for the recent deaths of 70 sheep on three ranches north of Great Falls.

Mike Hoggan with USDA Wildlife Services says the bear and her cub will be moved to an area near Frozen Lake in the Whitefish Range near the border of British Columbia, which puts her and her young cub about 160 miles from the ranches.

The bears were tranquilized and captured Sunday near Collins.

The Great Falls Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/MXf7jt ) the bear was fitted with a radio collar that should allow her movements to be tracked for the next four years.

Hoggan says wildlife officials were reluctant to euthanize the 4?-year-old bear because she had a cub to care for.

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Information from: Great Falls Tribune, http://www.greatfallstribune.com

Copyright 2012 The AP.