Grizzly suspected in livestock killing

Idaho Fish and Game officers suspect a grizzly bear attacked and killed a llama and a sheep in North Idaho Tuesday night.

A Naples man reported Wednesday seeing a reddish-brown bear the evening of the incident on his property, but he was unable to identify whether it was a grizzly or black bear.

Fish and Game officers and Wildlife Services staff said they found grizzly bear tracks at the site in Boundary County.

Wildlife officials put traps on the resident’s property in case the bear returns.

If a grizzly bear is trapped, staff will determine whether the bear has been encountered during previous research efforts or if it is a previously undocumented animal, according to a press release.

If a grizzly is captured, Fish and Game will work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff to collect biological data including DNA, measurements, sex and age.

If the bear is relocated, a GPS collar will be placed on it for future tracking of its movements and behaviors, the release said.

Fish & Game officials said incidents like these serve as reminders that North Idaho is bear country, plain and simple. Although a bear will often go and do as it pleases, there are some simple steps homeowners and landowners can take to make their property less attractive to bears, officials said in the press release.

Among them:

• Properly dispose of attractants, including trash, animal carcasses, compost, livestock feed and beehives.
• Securely store food, garbage and other attractants in a bear-resistant place.
• Keep pet food secured as you do your own. Bears like pet food as much as your pet does.
• Avoid filling bird feeders until wintertime.
• Do not bury or throw garbage into the nearby woods.
• Make sure to clean your grills and keep them in a building, if possible.

In addition, Fish & Game officials said that if residents do encounter a bear, the following tips might help:

• Never approach bears, always stay at least 300 feet away.
• Do not interrupt bear activities.
• Never feed bears.
• Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
• Never run if you encounter a bear.