Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story stated that the bear was captured for cattle depredation. WGFD has specified that the bear was “captured in association with conflict management efforts for cattle depredation.” The change has been reflected below.
JACKSON, Wyo. — An adult female grizzly bear was captured and relocated on Tuesday, July 29, according to a Wednesday announcement by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD).
The bear was captured “in association with conflict management efforts for cattle depredation” on Shoshone National Forest in Fremont County, per WGFD. It was relocated to the Calf Creek drainage, about a half-mile south of Yellowstone National Park within Caribou-Targhee National Forest on the Wyoming side. WGFD consulted with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service in making these decisions, the agency said.
In mid-July, an adult female grizz was moved to the Mormon Creek drainage, approximately five miles from Yellowstone National Park’s east entrance, also for cattle depredation. In May, two separate grizzly relocations were reported by the agency, both for livestock depredation reasons.
According to WGFD, grizzlies are relocated to prevent conflicts between bears and humans, a “critical part of managing Wyoming’s growing grizzly bear population.” Bears that are considered a threat to human safety are typically not relocated, and instead are removed from the population. Bears are relocated for reasons including livestock depredation, habituated roadside behavior and more.
WGFD stresses the importance of the public’s responsibility in bear management. Wyomingites should keep all attractants (including food, trash, horse feed and bird seed) unavailable to bears.
For more information on grizzly bear management and reducing the potential for conflicts, see WGFD’s Bear Wise Wyoming webpage.
