IDAHO — Three grizzly bears in Idaho were dispatched by humans between Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, according to Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG).
Two 1.5-year-old grizzlies were trapped and euthanized by IDFG on Aug. 31 east of Ashton after “months of conflicts with humans,” the agency said. The pair, a male and a female, had become food-conditioned, showing no fear of humans and demonstrating aggressive behavior in order to obtain food.
“Despite considerable efforts by the Department, the two bears continued to acquire food rewards including chicken feed, cat and dog food and garbage,” IDFG said in a press release. “Additionally, they attempted to break into an occupied trailer, caused damage to residences, pushed on an occupied tent, were on multiple porches, showed aggression to people and were twice sprayed with bear spray by the public.”
The following day, two archery hunters shot and killed a large adult male grizzly in self-defense while scouting elk near Island Park Reservoir.
The archers were charged by the bear in a densely brushed area, leading them to shoot the bear with firearms. Neither hunter was injured.
Up until the end of August, summer grizzly activity in the state appeared minimal.
Grizzly bear activity in and around the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is picking up as bears enter hyperphagia, the period of increased eating prior to hibernation. A grizzly in West Yellowstone, Montana, was euthanized this month following multiple run-ins with humans, and two Montana grizzlies were killed in self-defense recently by hunters and anglers.
