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.
CODY, Wyo. — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) announced Tuesday that it captured and relocated an adult female grizzly bear last week.
After consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Shoshone National Forest, WGFD captured the bear on July 17 “in association with conflict management efforts for cattle depredation” on private land in Sublette County, per the announcement. The grizz was relocated to the Mormon Creek drainage, approximately five miles from Yellowstone National Park’s east entrance.
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.
