DRIGGS, Idaho — On Tuesday, Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) euthanized four black bears who had been frequenting a neighborhood in Teton County, Idaho, and receiving food rewards from unsecured garbage and other attractants.
Wardens responded to reports of a black bear sow with three cubs who had been visiting the Teton Valley neighborhood for over a month, spending time near homes and yards. According to a press release from IDFG, the bears were euthanized in the interest of public safety, due to their food conditioning and habituation. The agency did not specify in which neighborhood the bears were spending time.
IDFG said that relocating bears who are already habituated and food-conditioned is not an option because research shows that bears will quickly travel long distances to seek out human food in a new location. A bear that has become excessively habituated or lost its wariness of people is typically trapped and put down.
“Unfortunate situations like these serve as a reminder for residents living in bear country to properly store attractants and report bear issues quickly, to keep both people and bears safe,” reads the statement from IDFG. “These bears were known to have been frequenting the neighborhood for over a month before they were reported to Fish and Game, making hazing or relocation efforts impractical.”
IDFG reminds people that all of Teton County, Idaho, is bear country, and bears get into garbage often, especially in the fall when they are bulking up for winter. Residents are asked to properly store garbage and other attractants in order to make them inaccessible to bears.
