Scientists report that a favorite food of many bears, nuts from whitebark pine cones, is scarce.
So as grizzlies look to put on some pounds in preparation for the long winter ahead, they will be looking for another source of protein - meat - and running into trouble along the way.
Already wildlife managers report bears coming down from high elevations where whitebark pine is found and into areas frequented by hunters and hikers.
Two people have been killed by grizzlies this year in Wyoming and Montana, although officials said neither case was directly linked to the pine cone shortage.
