Reward upped for information on bear's death

Two new rewards have been offered for information on the killing of a federally protected grizzly bear in Idaho, bringing the total to $13,500.

In October 2015, a radio-collared grizzly bear was found dead in the Grouse Creek drainage of Bonner County. The approximately 4-year-old male grizzly was captured and collared in the Selkirk Mountains just north of Priest Lake in late June 2015 as part of research. It is a violation of the Endangered Species Act to kill a grizzly bear, which is listed as threatened. The incident was investigated by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Citizens Against Poaching is offering a $2,500 reward, and Defenders of Wildlife is adding $1,000 for information leading to a conviction. Those rewards are in addition to the $5,000 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and another $5,000 from the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust.

Anyone with information about this case should call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 509-370-0112, or Idaho Department of Fish and Game at 208-267-4085. The public can also call the Citizens Against Poaching tips line at 800-632-5999. Callers may remain anonymous.